We here at Blue Crab Boulevard have been known to now and then have a bit of fun at the expense of the Scots. We do this not because we have any enmity for them, but actually because we think that having a national cuisine based entirely on a dare is actually a plus in this world of ours. Besides, even if they serve you haggis, you can wash it down with "whisky". But now, it turns out that the folks at Glasgow University are working on one of the first effective countermeasures against the fishy contingent of the Animal Uprising™. Forget that silly movie RoboCop, they are working on the real deal:
The robot has a built-in camera to broadcast images of real fish back to the operators of the device. Zoologists will use RoboSalmon to monitor various fish species in their natural habitat.
A key feature of RoboSalmon is its propulsion system. Since the robot will use its fins and tail for movement, it will be able to move through the water in a way that is more natural for aquatic creatures. Propellers make an unnatural noise that disturbs fish; RoboSalmon's biomimetic characteristics should help it blend in.
Robot evolution (biomimetic or not) does not follow the course of natural evolution. It turns out the the RoboSalmon is a direct descendant of the SHARC – Submersible Hybrid Autonomous Rover Craft.
The SHARC was also designed as a biomimetic system, using its tail to move around.
Pictures of the device are here. The only thing we think they need to do here is add the necessary equipment to make this a really effective tool against the fishy fanatics: torpedoes! Does this mean we will stop making fun of men wearing skirts? Of course not! That's what we're here for.
