Bio-Inspired Underwater Propulsion: Actuation, Sensing, Processing and Control
A special issue of Biomimetics (ISSN 2313-7673).
Deadline for manuscript submissions: 31 January 2026 | Viewed by 10
Special Issue Editor
Interests: intelligent structures; bio-inspired underwater propulsion; embodied intelligence and mechanical computing; soft robotics; adaptive structures; fluid–structure interactions; structural dynamics; smart materials
Special Issue Information
Dear Colleagues,
Bio-inspired underwater propulsion aims to harness the swimming behavior of biology and grant robotic swimmers the biological performance benefits of efficiency, maneuverability, and adaptability. However, realizing robotic swimmers with biological performance is a significant challenge due to the complex interaction between structures, fluids, and electronics and the need to control and adapt this behavior across swimming conditions. To overcome these challenges, bio-inspired underwater propulsion requires a complex interplay between actuation, sensing, processing, and control.
This Special Issue aims to present advances in bio-inspired underwater propulsion that address both the individual components and interplay between actuation, sensing, processing, and control. Contributions to this issue could include theoretical insights into bio-inspired propulsion, novel robotic swimming mechanisms, and control of bio-inspired robotic swimmers. We welcome both numerical and experimental contributions as well as any type of bio-inspired underwater propulsion mechanism.
We welcome original research articles and reviews, and we particularly encourage contributions in the following research areas:
- Unsteady swimming;
- Embodied intelligence;
- Sensorimotor control;
- Multifunctional robots;
- Adaptive behavior;
- Continuum and soft robotic swimmers.
We look forward to receiving your contributions.
Dr. Patrick Musgrave
Guest Editor
Manuscript Submission Information
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Keywords
- bio-inspired underwater propulsion
- underwater robotics
- unsteady swimming
- embodied intelligence
- sensorimotor control
- bio-inspired sensing
- multifunctional robots
- adaptive behavior
- soft robots
- fluid–structure interaction
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