Wednesday
I love this story:
Armed with nothing more than a couple of sensors, a robotic fish unveiled by Japanese scientists this week could one day be used to observe fish in the ocean or survey oil platforms for damage.Modelled on the koi, a decorative strain of carp popular in Japan, the remote-controlled white, red and gold robot can manoeuvre its way around a fish pond with a realistic flick of its tail.
The 80-cm (32-inch) carp can also use sensors in its mouth to monitor the concentration of oxygen in water, a key to fish health, said project leader Tetsuo Ichikizaki of Ryomei Giken, a subsidiary of Mitsubishi Heavy Industries Ltd <7011.T>, in Hiroshima, western Japan.
I wonder if this works with the great white shark.
In the olden days (1950s) it used to be said give an Englishman a piece of tin and he'll do something stupid with it. Sounds like the Japanese have taken over that role :-)
Posted by John Steele at March 16, 2006 12:41 AM
I can see it now---Godzilla vs. MegaRoboCarp.
Pass the popcorn.
Posted by veryretired at March 16, 2006 12:45 AM
USDA Confirms Mad Cow Case in Alabama
With this here now you may be right
Posted by brently at March 16, 2006 01:02 AM
This isn't 100% new news. A few years ago I remember reading obout the USN's RoboTuna. Aparently it was reckoned by Navu scientists that a torpedo that swam like a tuna was faster, more efficient and stealthier.
Hats off to the Japs. I like fish and I like robots. I want a robot (like we were all supposed to have by now, according to the 60s). If I had a robot I'd be able to let that Somali illegal go.
Posted by Nick M at March 16, 2006 08:42 AM
It's from Hiroshima. Interesting.
(Insert atomic mutant fish joke here.)
Posted by staghounds at March 16, 2006 03:22 PM
And also-
"The robotic fish, which cost 30 million yen ($250,000) to develop"...
I know people who have caught fish that, by the time the trip and equipment wre costed out, were more expensive.
Posted by staghounds at March 16, 2006 03:24 PM
