Bio-inspired Autonomous Underwater Vehicle
The Galatea-project is a project of the Delft University of Technology in close collaboration with Wageningen University. The objective is to design, build and test a bio-inspired Autonomous Underwater Vehicle, a so called AUV.
Several consumers have a demand for an affordable, flexibele and unmanned underwater vehicle, a demand this project can fulfil. However, besides being a practical design assignment, Galatea is also an analysis project trying to understand the technology of Undulating Fin Propulsion better.
The Undulating Fin Propulsion technology is inspired by the graceful movement of the stingray. Advantages, compared to conventional propulsion techniques, are a more silent, stable, manoeuvrable and efficient way of propulsion.
To get a first impression of the galatea-robot watch the movie below. More information can be found on the multimedia page.
History
The current Galatea-project is a separate continuation of the Design Synthesis Exercise 2007, the Bachelor final project of the faculty of Aerospace Engineering. During this Design Synthesis Exercise two groups were given the assignment to develop a harbour protection system. By means of a swarm of underwater robots the harbour had to be protected against threats. One of the designs for such a system was the PHURA-project. Galatea is the corresponding concept for the AUV.
A team, existing of seven students of the faculty of Aerospace Engineering of the Delft University of Technology, has built a first underwater robot by order of the Acoustic Remote Sensing group, which is part of the DEOS section. The project is being led by Prof. Dr. D.G. Simons and assisted by ir. D. Lentink, doctoral student Experimental Zoology of the Wageningen University and Research Centre. Furthermore the knowledge and expertise of several departments of the faculty are placed at the disposal of the team. A number of people from several companies represent the users.
Contact
For more information about the Galatea-project, feel free to contact one of the following persons:
| • Prof. Dr. Dick Simons, Galatea-project supervisor | +31 (0)15-2788145 | d.g.simons@tudelft.nl | |
| • Sebastian Henrion, Galatea-project | - | info@galatea-project.com |
