China unveils arapaima-shaped robot for underwater exploration VIDEO

A biomimetic robot modelled on an arapaima, a large tropical freshwater fish, has been unveiled at the China International Fair for Trade in Services (CIFTIS), offering a quieter approach to underwater exploration.

The robot is designed to move through water using its tail and fins rather than a conventional propeller. The fish-like propulsion system allows it to swim smoothly while closely imitating the movement of a real fish, Chinese state news agency Xinhua reports.

The robot can be fitted with cameras and sensors, potentially allowing it to be used to inspect bodies of water and underwater infrastructure.

The design reflects a broader trend in underwater robotics toward biomimetic propulsion, in which engineers reproduce aspects of fish locomotion to improve manoeuvrability and reduce the disturbance associated with conventional propeller-driven systems.

Fish-inspired underwater robots have been studied for applications including environmental monitoring, underwater inspection and the observation of aquatic ecosystems. Their propulsion systems can use oscillating tails or fins to generate thrust rather than relying solely on rotating propellers.

The arapaima-shaped robot showcased at CIFTIS illustrates how such bio-inspired designs are increasingly being adapted for practical underwater surveillance and inspection tasks.

By Tamilla Hasanova