EvoLogics GmbH from Berlin, Germany, has introduced “Poggy,” a novel bionic AUV that uses Fin-Ray technology.

The vehicle is being developed as part of the BONUS SEAMOUNT collaborative R&D project. It made its first dives at the Breaking The Surface 2019 workshop in early October 2019. The goal of BONUS SEAMOUNT is to develop innovative autonomous vehicles and integrated sensor systems for complex real-time sea surveying, analysis and monitoring, and to apply these in the study of submarine groundwater discharge in the Baltic Sea. 

Poggy has two propulsion thrusters and two independent flexible “tails” that give the robot unique mobility features. Its dual-tail construction is an original idea that stemmed from previous work on EvoLogics’ Manta Ray AUV and its lifelike “flapping wing” propulsion system. The design was simplified and optimized: the robot lost the wings, and its tail was divided in two.

Together with the rigid part of the body, the progressively bendable tails perform as two adjustable hydroplanes that in every steering position have an overall streamlined shape. The new concept facilitates outstanding roll and depth control combined with low-drag performance. 

Both parts of the dual-tail use independent bionic Fin-Ray drives and allow for precise heave, pitch and roll adjustments, enabling dynamic climbs and dives, leveled gliding, and bottom following.

Due to the small size of its basic AUV components, Poggy can carry multiple sensors and instruments at the same time. The two tails facilitate unique maneuvers that could create new opportunities for sensing and monitoring. The vehicle was designed to keep any desired roll angle and maintain a steady glide, even at very low speeds.