Experimental Verification of Open-loop Control for an Underwater Eel-like Robot

Abstract

In this paper, we describe experimental work using an underwater, biomimetic, eel-like robot to verify a simplified dynamic model and open-loop control routines. We compare experimental results to previous analytically derived, but approximate expressions for proposed gaits for forward/backward swimming, circular swimming, sideways swimming and turning in place. We have developed a five-link, underwater eel-like robot, focusing on modularity, reliability and rapid prototyping, to verify our theoretical predictions. Results from open-loop experiments performed with this robot in an aquatic environment using an off-line vision system for position sensing show good agreement with theory.