Sepios, bio-inspired nautical robot, Autonomous Systems Lab, Swiss Federal Institute of Technology, Zurich, Switzerland

Undulating fins as a mechanism of propulsion by cuttlefish. Citation of natgeowild.com for educational purposes only.

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Undulating fins as a mechanism of propulsion by flatworm and cuttlefish.

Citation of "Fat Fish Movies" for educational purposes only.

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Our Sepios robot diving for the first time with the four-fin configuration

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We're a student robotics project from ETH developing a unique kind of underwater robot. Sepios in its final form will feature four fins (contrary to the two used in this test) inspired by cuttlefish. They perform undulating motions which allow our robot to move in any direction any time. This attribute makes it perfect for marine filming.

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The video created specifically for our final presentation, showing off everything Sepios can do!

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Our Sepios with undulating fin propulsion is the first nautical robot from ETH Z?rich which dived in the sea successfully. Amazing how it is able to dive between seagrass under stormy water conditions!

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By copying the undulating swimming skills of cuttlefish, a low-key underwater robot is able to tackle obstacles in its way
Full story:

"Quiet cuttlefish robot dives through underwater forest"

by Flora Graham
January 12, 2015

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Sepios, a four-finned, omnidirectional robot built by students at ETH Zurich, could inspire a new generation of eco-friendly, aquatic androids.

Based loosely on an ocean cuttlefish, its four fins each contain nine rays, all with a 270-degree range of motion.
The device has also been fitted with several controls for distance and altitude and an underwater video camera.

Co-designer Alessandro Schappi explains how the device works underwater.

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