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Copy Cat

October 3, 2015

Turtles, dolphins, and seals are masters at maneuvering in the water. So it’s no surprise that vehicle deisgners occasionally look to them for inspiration when trying to make new generations of autonomous underwater vehicles more maneuverable. The torpedo-shaped REMUS are designed to travel long distances in a straight line, much like tuna and other predatory fish. Others, like Finnegan, which was developed in 2008, take their cue from other marine animals. Even though it can’t turn as sharp as a seal, Finnegan used flippers improve its maneuverability. (Illustration by Jack Cook, )