Platform Selection of a Manta-Inspired Robot for Mitigating Near-Shore Harmful Algal Blooms.

Anthropologic impacts on freshwater have created toxic algal blooms that are challenging to address due to scale and shallow conditions along the shore. Mimicking a manta ray's motion and structure offers a platform for an environmental service robot that can thrive under such constraints. The structure of the manta enables slow-gliding high-maneuverability in shallow conditions. The fin placement allows periods of gliding through the water, reducing actuation frequency and its disruption to the surrounding environment. This report analyzes various ray inspired robotics and their features, to determine the optimal design for an environmental service robot. By integrating a bioinspired algal filter with a manta-inspired robotic platform, near-shore blooms could be reduced without introducing a new threat to the struggling ecosystem.