(GIST OF SCIENCE REPORTER) IIT Jodhpur Researchers Create Prototype of Hybrid Vehicle that Moves in Land, Air, and Water

(MARCH-2024)

IIT Jodhpur Researchers Create Prototype of Hybrid Vehicle that Moves in Land, Air, and Water

Indian Institute of Technology Jodhpur researchers have developed a robust control system and design for a hybrid unmanned aerial-underwater vehicle.
Hybrid vehicles that can operate both on land and in water are essential for tasks like mapping oil spills on beaches, rivers, or underwater erosion and pollution dispersion.
By developing a sound mathematical system that drives these vehicles, this research will help make them more capable and efficient and better applicable to their functions such as lifeguard rescue efforts and even underwater and aerial photography.

Key findings:

The team has developed this system by taking inspiration from a species of bird, Anhingas, that are both able to move on land and underwater. Based on this, the research team has created a 3D-printed prototype made of various components and waterproofing.

The prototype has been tested for aerial, water surface, and underwater manoeuvring using Remote Control (RC) transmission.

So far, this prototype, with the algorithm proposed by the IIT Jodhpur team, is capable of performing six manoeuvres for smooth transitions between water and air in the context of uncertainty. These are:

(1) Dive from Air to Underwater,

(2) Take off from Underwater to Air,

(3) Landing from Air to Water Surface,

(4) Dive from Water Surface to Underwater,

(5) Surfacing from Underwater, and

(6) Take off from Water Surface