Roboshark, Robotic shark platform at Plymouth Marine Laboratory, England.
Roboshark is a remote-controlled underwater vehicle based at Plymouth Marine Laboratory in Plymouth, England. It is built to replicate the swimming motion of a real shark, with a flexible tail that allows it to move through the water in a way that closely resembles a living fish.
Roboshark grew out of research programs at Plymouth Marine Laboratory that aimed to develop underwater vehicles capable of observing ocean life without intrusive machinery. Over time, the design was refined to bring it closer to the natural movement of marine animals.
The name Roboshark combines the word robot with shark, directly reflecting how the machine was designed to move and look like a real fish. Visitors at Plymouth Marine Laboratory can see how this choice shapes the way the device approaches marine animals without altering their natural behavior.
Plymouth Marine Laboratory welcomes visitors who want to learn about Roboshark and its research missions through guided tours. It is a good idea to plan ahead, as tours are not available every day and access to the facility may require advance booking.
Roboshark is fitted with powerful underwater lights and made from materials chosen to keep noise to a minimum below the surface. This means it can get very close to sea creatures without them changing what they are doing, which makes the footage and data it collects far more reliable.
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