The University of New Orleans is developing a 3D printed robotic eel for the US Navy. 3D printing allows prototype parts to be made much faster, speeding the development process.
The researchers’ interest in the project lies in the benefits it can bring to monitoring and data collection in water, especially in harsh and dangerous conditions. The US Navy also has an interest in the research, primarily for developing autonomous underwater vehicles (AUVs) that will be able to travel long distances into perilous environments and gather information without being detected.