Robotic Fish

Robojelly · 08/18/2012, 04:56 PM

Hey guys, I am an engineer from Virginia Tech currently developing robotic fish technology. Our robots are designed to look and act like natural fish and we are now trying to make the technology available to the general public.

I am trying to see if aquarium owners would have any use for this technology and was hoping to get your feedback. Following are a few questions:

1 - Would you be interested in a robot capable of assisting with maintenance and/or feeding?
2 - Would you like a way to interact with your fish?
3 - Do you ever worry about your fish getting bored?

Comments and suggestions are welcome.

Thank you,

Alex

eyesinthedrk · 08/18/2012, 05:32 PM

Honestly, no to All three for me. The hands on feeding and maintanance is what makes it a hobby and gives me my chance to interact with my tank.

Steve175 · 08/18/2012, 05:38 PM

Yeh. Gonna have to go with not so much x3.

vanbro1 · 08/18/2012, 05:51 PM

I think it would be fun. Kids could play with the fish and get them into the hobby. It would be used much more as a toy than an actual tool - my two cents

Graham670 · 08/18/2012, 06:01 PM

Terrible idea. Not to be rude. But pointless and would probably cost wayyyy more $$ than it could ever be worth.

durp · 08/18/2012, 06:02 PM

i like this. if you cold make it small enough, it wold be great for exploreing the netherworld of your tank.

mph1 · 08/18/2012, 07:01 PM

Are you talking about a remote control fish? That might be cool....if you could could do that with 4 or 5 channel control I might buy that. Can you get enough RF penetration in saltwater?

moshi1ry · 08/18/2012, 07:20 PM

I think most serious aquarist on this forum would say no to the idea. Afterall we are trying to recreate the beauty of reefs in the wild. Ill say this would you like a robotic dog? Now a remote control fish that would be interesting with a camera to explore haha. Guess it depends on how you are trying to sell this product.

Steve175 · 08/18/2012, 07:58 PM

One idea that might be cool: if it could be rigged with a camera for underwater shots, I would PayPal for one now.

Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk HD

Robojelly · 08/19/2012, 01:42 PM

Thanks guys, that is great feedback and exactly what I was looking for.

Robojelly · 08/19/2012, 01:46 PM

The camera idea is definitely a possibility. The main issue is the overall size of the robot once a camera is integrated. What is the largest size robot which would still be practical for exploring your tank? 5"?

A_CoupleClowns · 08/19/2012, 03:16 PM

Robot fish with a camera would be something. That would be a cool way to see the unknown in the tank.

Maybe a small led light on it too for the caves/dark areas?

SushiGirl · 08/19/2012, 03:36 PM

Considering it would probably scare the fish, no. To play with in something other than an aquarium it could be fun as a toy.

08/18/2012, 04:56 PM	#1
Robojelly Registered Member Join Date: Aug 2012 Posts: 3	Robotic Fish Hey guys, I am an engineer from Virginia Tech currently developing robotic fish technology. Our robots are designed to look and act like natural fish and we are now trying to make the technology available to the general public. I am trying to see if aquarium owners would have any use for this technology and was hoping to get your feedback. Following are a few questions: 1 - Would you be interested in a robot capable of assisting with maintenance and/or feeding? 2 - Would you like a way to interact with your fish? 3 - Do you ever worry about your fish getting bored? Comments and suggestions are welcome. Thank you, Alex

08/18/2012, 05:32 PM	#2
eyesinthedrk Registered Member Join Date: Jul 2008 Location: Williamsport, PA Posts: 675	Honestly, no to All three for me. The hands on feeding and maintanance is what makes it a hobby and gives me my chance to interact with my tank. __________________ Everybody knows you never go full retard. Current Tank Info: SPS dominated, 125 gallon dt with 3 Apollo reef LED pendants, Apex Controler. 100 gal basement sump, 100 gallon basement fuge, euro reef skimmer, reef octopu s cr140 calcium reactor. Phos an reactor.

08/18/2012, 05:38 PM	#3
Steve175 Registered Member Join Date: May 2003 Location: Baltimore, MD Posts: 1,186	Yeh. Gonna have to go with not so much x3. __________________ Steve ---------------------------------- Current Tank Info: 2 separate 250G bowfront rimless ELOS tanks plumbed to 260G sump, 220G refugium, 220G frag, BK DeLuxe 300, 400W MH x4, closed loops, 3/4hp chiller x2, Phos reactor, Kalk reactor, Charcoal reactor, Ca reactor, 60G surge tanks, & a huge elec bill

08/18/2012, 07:58 PM	#9
Steve175 Registered Member Join Date: May 2003 Location: Baltimore, MD Posts: 1,186	One idea that might be cool: if it could be rigged with a camera for underwater shots, I would PayPal for one now. Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk HD __________________ Steve ---------------------------------- Current Tank Info: 2 separate 250G bowfront rimless ELOS tanks plumbed to 260G sump, 220G refugium, 220G frag, BK DeLuxe 300, 400W MH x4, closed loops, 3/4hp chiller x2, Phos reactor, Kalk reactor, Charcoal reactor, Ca reactor, 60G surge tanks, & a huge elec bill

08/19/2012, 03:36 PM	#13
SushiGirl Premium Member Join Date: Apr 2002 Location: Fort Worth, TX USA Posts: 8,267	Considering it would probably scare the fish, no. To play with in something other than an aquarium it could be fun as a toy. __________________ Visit my Homepage or "My Albums" (via Profile) for hitchhiker pics. Current Tank Info: 55g softy/LPS tank & 20L reef tank

08/18/2012, 05:51 PM	#4
vanbro1 Registered Member Join Date: Aug 2011 Posts: 995	I think it would be fun. Kids could play with the fish and get them into the hobby. It would be used much more as a toy than an actual tool - my two cents

08/18/2012, 06:01 PM	#5
Graham670 Registered Member Join Date: Oct 2011 Location: Midwest City, Oklahoma Posts: 83	Terrible idea. Not to be rude. But pointless and would probably cost wayyyy more $$ than it could ever be worth.

08/18/2012, 06:02 PM	#6
durp Registered Member Join Date: Aug 2012 Posts: 3	i like this. if you cold make it small enough, it wold be great for exploreing the netherworld of your tank.

08/18/2012, 07:01 PM	#7
mph1 Registered Member Join Date: Aug 2011 Location: Raleigh NC Posts: 12	Are you talking about a remote control fish? That might be cool....if you could could do that with 4 or 5 channel control I might buy that. Can you get enough RF penetration in saltwater?

08/18/2012, 07:20 PM	#8
moshi1ry Registered Member Join Date: Mar 2012 Posts: 163	I think most serious aquarist on this forum would say no to the idea. Afterall we are trying to recreate the beauty of reefs in the wild. Ill say this would you like a robotic dog? Now a remote control fish that would be interesting with a camera to explore haha. Guess it depends on how you are trying to sell this product.

08/19/2012, 01:42 PM	#10
Robojelly Registered Member Join Date: Aug 2012 Posts: 3	Thanks guys, that is great feedback and exactly what I was looking for.

08/19/2012, 01:46 PM	#11
Robojelly Registered Member Join Date: Aug 2012 Posts: 3	The camera idea is definitely a possibility. The main issue is the overall size of the robot once a camera is integrated. What is the largest size robot which would still be practical for exploring your tank? 5"?

08/19/2012, 03:16 PM	#12
A_CoupleClowns Registered Member Join Date: Jun 2012 Posts: 431	Robot fish with a camera would be something. That would be a cool way to see the unknown in the tank. Maybe a small led light on it too for the caves/dark areas?