Engineers Developed Scalable Fish-Inspired Robot
Researchers created a robotic system that maintains consistent swimming motion across three distinct sizes.
Updated on Sept. 28, 2026 in Robotics
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In 2026, engineers from EPFL and NYU unveiled ScaFi, a scalable fish-inspired robot designed to simplify construction for various aquatic environments. The team tested three models ranging from 0.6 to 2.9 meters in size to analyze how swimming performance scales.
Why it matters
This design aims to minimize the engineering effort required to build robots for different habitats. By scaling tail rod diameters, the team maintained consistent movement patterns across robots of varying lengths, offering a standardized approach to aquatic robotics.
The robots utilize a rigid front section paired with a flexible fiberglass tail, with motion generated by a single motor pulling two tendons. Testing occurred in diverse environments, including Lake Geneva and shallow creeks with depths between 15 and 30 centimeters.
The players
EPFL
This is a public research university located in Lausanne, Switzerland, that focuses on natural sciences and engineering.
New York University
This is a private research university based in New York City that maintains numerous global academic programs.
The details
The ScaFi system creates an S-shaped swimming bend through a crossed-tendon arrangement that is pulled by a single internal motor. While the two smaller models shared motor specifications, the largest 2.9-meter version required a more powerful motor to function correctly.
Timeline
The research study was published in the journal npj Robotics in 2026.
The Tech Race
This development follows a pattern set by the European Union's Horizon 2020 program, which provides funding for cross-border scientific innovation projects. It marks a shift toward modular robotic design, replacing highly customized builds with scalable platforms that function across varying aquatic conditions.
Standardized, scalable robotic platforms like ScaFi may accelerate the deployment of environmental monitoring tools in public waterways. By reducing the complexity of manufacturing, such technology could lead to more affordable and frequent data collection in local aquatic ecosystems.
The takeaway
The study demonstrates that consistent mechanical behavior can be achieved through proportional design rather than unique engineering for every size. This finding suggests a future where autonomous aquatic platforms are faster to develop and easier to adapt for specific research needs.
What happens next
Researchers are scheduled to conduct follow-up studies to determine if the energetic performance of the robots can be scaled as effectively as the current swimming motion.
Further reading
Explore more advancements in Robotics on our dedicated page.
Source note: This article includes information reported by Robohub.
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