skip to main content

Robotic Jellyfish Explorers

February 28, 2024

Media Contact

Emily Velasco
Media Relations Manager
evelasco@caltech.edu
626-395-6487

Caltech's Dabiri Lab takes another step towards equipping jellyfish to survey the ocean depths by developing a jellyfish cap that enhances swimming speed and efficiency, while carrying sensors and maintaining neutral buoyancy.

Assets on this page are subject to the site Use Policy.

Video

Robotic Jellyfish Explorers
Caltech's Dabiri Lab takes another step towards equipping jellyfish to survey the ocean depths by developing a jellyfish cap that enhances swimming speed and efficiency, while carrying sensors and maintaining neutral buoyancy.
Credit: Caltech
Download file (476 MB)

Images and Graphics

An animated gif visualizing the flow around a jellyfish with a forebody cap attachment

Jellyfish with cap
In this animated gif, the flow of water around a jellyfish wearing a streamlined cap is visualized using small, suspended particles and a light source.
Credit: Caltech
Download file (2.9 MB)

An animated gif visualizing the flow around a jellyfish without a forebody cap attachment

Jellyfish without cap
In this animated gif, the flow of water around a jellyfish in its natural state is visualized using small, suspended particles and a light source.
Credit: Caltech
Download file (3.5 MB)

Flow visualization around the jellyfish body

Jellyfish with cap
The flow of water around a jellyfish wearing a streamlined cap is visualized using small, suspended particles and a light source.
Credit: Caltech
Download file (1.7 MB)

Flow visualization around the jellyfish body

Jellyfish without cap
The flow of water around a jellyfish in its natural state is visualized using small, suspended particles and a light source.
Credit: Caltech
Download file (951 KB)

An animated gif showing a comparison between jellyfish swimming with and without the forebody cap

Comparison of swimming speeds
In this animated gif, the swimming speed of a jellyfish with a forebody and without a forebody can be compared as they descend through a three-story tank of water. (Tank rotated 90 degrees in image)
Credit: Caltech
Download file (3.5 MB)

An artist's illustration of jellyfish with attached electromechanic devices

Artist's rendering
This artwork by Rebecca Konte depicts a smack (group) of biohybrid robot jellyfish in the sea.
Credit: Caltech/Rebecca Konte
Download file (18 MB)

Jellyfish outfitted with mechanical attachments swimming in a tank in John Dabiri's lab

Time-lapse image
This time-lapse composite image shows a biohybrid robot jellyfish descending through the three-story tank designed for testing the swimming abilities of the modified creatures.
Credit: Caltech
Download file (529 KB)

Simon Anuszczyk and John Dabiri in their lab

Authors
Simon Anuszczyk (MS '22) (left) and John Dabiri (MS '03, PhD '05) (right).
Credit: Caltech
Download file (26 MB)

Additional Resources