A fish-like underwater robot includes a shell, a driving assembly and an integrated tension and swing component. The integrated tension and swing component includes a plurality of tension ropes and tension elements. Every two adjacent tension elements are connected in series through the plurality of tension ropes. The driving assembly and the integrated tension and swing component are disposed inside the shell. The driving assembly is disposed at a head of the shell. The integrated tension and swing component has an end connected to a tail of the shell and an end connected to the driving assembly. When the fish-like underwater robot is used, the driving assembly drives the integrated tension and swing component to swing to generate power for forward movement. A traditional fish-like tail swing structure is replaced with an integrated tension skeleton structure.

A fish-like underwater robot includes a shell, a driving assembly and an integrated tension and swing component. The integrated tension and swing component includes a plurality of tension ropes and tension elements. Every two adjacent tension elements are connected in series through the plurality of tension ropes. The driving assembly and the integrated tension and swing component are disposed inside the shell. The driving assembly is disposed at a head of the shell. The integrated tension and swing component has an end connected to a tail of the shell and an end connected to the driving assembly. When the fish-like underwater robot is used, the driving assembly drives the integrated tension and swing component to swing to generate power for forward movement. A traditional fish-like tail swing structure is replaced with an integrated tension skeleton structure.

An amphibious robot is provided. An aspect of the robot includes an elongated flexible body, actuators in the flexible body and spaced apart along a length of the flexible body. The actuators are configured to move the flexible body in a serpentine or concertina motion on land and in water. An additional aspect includes a camera coupled adjacent to an end of the flexible body, at least one sensor coupled to the flexible body, and a buoyancy controller located in the flexible body. Another aspect includes a power source coupled to the flexible body and configured to power the actuators, the camera, the sensors, and the buoyancy controller. Yet another aspect employs an electric controller to control the actuators and receive data from the sensors.

An amphibious robot is provided. An aspect of the robot includes an elongated flexible body, actuators in the flexible body and spaced apart along a length of the flexible body. The actuators are configured to move the flexible body in a serpentine or concertina motion on land and in water. An additional aspect includes a camera coupled adjacent to an end of the flexible body, at least one sensor coupled to the flexible body, and a buoyancy controller located in the flexible body. Another aspect includes a power source coupled to the flexible body and configured to power the actuators, the camera, the sensors, and the buoyancy controller. Yet another aspect employs an electric controller to control the actuators and receive data from the sensors.

A swimming propulsion device. The swimming propulsion device includes a fuselage at least one propulsor pivotally connected to the fuselage, and in some embodiments, at least one stabilizer affixed to the fuselage. The device also includes a swimmer connection mechanism removably attached to the fuselage by a locking mechanism whereby the swimmer connection mechanism connects a swimmer to the device, and a control mechanism installed within the propulsor. A method for efficient swimming is also disclosed.

A swimming propulsion device. The swimming propulsion device includes a fuselage at least one propulsor pivotally connected to the fuselage, and in some embodiments, at least one stabilizer affixed to the fuselage. The device also includes a swimmer connection mechanism removably attached to the fuselage by a locking mechanism whereby the swimmer connection mechanism connects a swimmer to the device, and a control mechanism installed within the propulsor. A method for efficient swimming is also disclosed.

A robotic fish comprises one or more torque reaction engines and a fin, wherein the one or more torque reaction engines cyclically oscillate and is to cause one or more waves to propagate through the fin, wherein the one or more waves accelerating thrust fluid and propel the robotic fish. The robotic fish may have a shape of a flagellum, a fish, a marine mammal, or a disc. The one or more of the one or more torque reaction engines may comprise a drive shaft or may comprise no drive shaft. When the one or more of the one or more torque reaction engines comprises no drive shaft, the one or more of the one or more torque reaction engines may comprise a bearing surface of a closed ball-and-socket joint.

Disclosed is a propulsion unit for propelling a vessel. The propulsion unit comprises a main body configured to be arranged at a keel of the vessel and comprising a pivot point, a fin being movably arranged in relation to the main body, and an actuator assembly for generating a heave motion of the fin in relation to the main body. The actuator assembly comprises at least one actuator. The fin is connected to the pivot point, such that the fin is arranged to pivot around the pivot point when the at least one actuator generates the heave motion of the fin, thereby generating a pitch motion of the fin.

The present invention relates to a human-powered boat that a user can easily operate with his/her own manual power even though the boat is in a form causing large resistance to propulsion, and the human-powered boat is equipped with a propulsion apparatus that imitates the tail fin of a fish. The propulsion apparatus, in which an oscillating foil mechanism is applied to an “L-shaped oar”, enables a rider to perform forward-facing rowing and can easily change a direction and prevent damage due to a collision with an underwater obstacle. Typically, the human-powered boat of the present invention has the following three limitations in order to maximize simplicity while maintaining propulsion efficiency, compared with prior arts in the same technical field: First, a rider has a specific limitation in tilting the propulsion apparatus through an up-down movement of his/her arm. Second, the foil of the propulsion apparatus does not make contact with the longitudinal axis of the boat body in a predetermined range of motion. Third, the propulsion apparatus has a predetermined level of limitation in generating a propulsion force below the submerged portion of the boat body.

The present invention relates to a human-powered boat that a user can easily operate with his/her own manual power even though the boat is in a form causing large resistance to propulsion, and the human-powered boat is equipped with a propulsion apparatus that imitates the tail fin of a fish. The propulsion apparatus, in which an oscillating foil mechanism is applied to an “L-shaped oar”, enables a rider to perform forward-facing rowing and can easily change a direction and prevent damage due to a collision with an underwater obstacle. Typically, the human-powered boat of the present invention has the following three limitations in order to maximize simplicity while maintaining propulsion efficiency, compared with prior arts in the same technical field: First, a rider has a specific limitation in tilting the propulsion apparatus through an up-down movement of his/her arm. Second, the foil of the propulsion apparatus does not make contact with the longitudinal axis of the boat body in a predetermined range of motion. Third, the propulsion apparatus has a predetermined level of limitation in generating a propulsion force below the submerged portion of the boat body.