This article covers research on an innovative propulsion system design for a Biomimetic Unmanned Underwater Vehicle (BUUV) operating at low speeds. The experiment was conducted on a laboratory test water tunnel equipped with specialised sensor equipment to assess the Fluid-Structure Interaction (FSI) and energy consumption of two different types of propulsion systems. The experimental data contrast the undulating with the drag-based propulsion system. The additional joint in the drag-based propulsion system is intended to increase thrust and decrease energy input. The tests were conducted at a variety of fins oscillation frequencies and fluid velocities. The experiments demonstrate that, in the region of low-speed forward movement, the efficiency of the propulsion system with the additional joint is greater.

In the recent years, a dynamical development of an underwater robotics has been noticed. One of the newest group of underwater robots are biomimetic underwater vehicles. These vehicles are driven by undulating propulsion imitating fins of underwater creatures, e.g. a fish, a seal, etc. This paper undertakes problem of thrust measurement of new biomimetic underwater vehicle equipped with undulating propulsion. At the beginning, the stand for thrust measurement is described. Then, two constructions of BUVs imitating a fish and a seal are presented. Further, the results of thrust measurement for two different undulating propulsions are inserted. At the end of the paper containing conclusions from performed measurements and foreseen research is included.

The aim of this paper is to select a depth controller for innovative biomimetic underwater vehicle drives. In the process of optimizing depth controller settings, two classical controllers were used, i.e., the proportional–integral–derivative (PID) and the sliding mode controllers (SM). The parameters of the regulators’ settings were obtained as a result of optimization by three methods of the selected quality indicators in terms of the properties of the control signal. The starting point for the analysis was simulations conducted in the MATLAB environment for the three optimization methods on three types of indicators for three different desired depth values. The article describes the methods and quality indicators in detail. The paper presents the results of the fitness function obtained during the optimization. Moreover, the time courses of the vehicle position relative to the desired depth, the side fin deflection angles, the calculated parameters of the control signals, and the observations and conclusions formulated in the research were presented.