Background Information

Sydney Battaglia, Jillian Kasun, Justin Konecny

Mr. Cuttrell and Ms. Green

Systems Engineering II

7 September 2016

Background Information

Stingrays, cartilaginous fish that traverse the ocean floor, have existed for millions of years. Stingrays’ characteristics, including swimming style, body shape, and bone structure, separate them from other marine creatures. By observing these features, the team strives to create a realistic robotic stingray to promote enhanced learning in an educational environment. Researchers and engineers have created animatronic aquatic creatures; however, each model has flaws, such as artificial appearances and movement, that the group wishes to correct. With the information collected pertaining to the stingray, the group aims to circulate and publicize the data.

Image #1 - (George Mason) Professor teaching biology.

Image #2 - (High School Students) Students learning in a typical classroom setting.

Image #3 -  (Class in High School) Students presenting projects to a class.

Image #4 - (Marine Biology Class) Professor educating students about sharks.

Image #5 - (Aquarium Stingrays) Child interacting with stingray in an aquarium.

Similar to the project, engineers have previously designed and constructed animatronics of different sea creatures. Marc’s Creature Company, located in California, created a puppeteered stingray that simulates the movements of a stingray.  However, a person must control the movements of the stingray because the model lacks internal programming. Furthermore, MIT/WHOI students constructed a robotic turtle, weighing 500 pounds. The robotic turtle accurately portrays the movement of a turtle. Additionally, students of the University of Virginia produced an animatronic manta ray that moved realistically, but had an unrealistic look. Similarly, The BIER Lab in Virginia created an animatronic stingray that used electroactive polymers and accurately portrayed a stingray’s motion, but the model lacked an outer shell. To create a model that corrects the problems identified in these animatronics, the group’s stingray must have internal programming that allow the form to move freely. The stingray requires an outer skin that mimics the skin of a real stingray.

Image #6 - (“Marc’s Creature”) Components of a stingray model.

Image #7 - (“The Turtle”) MIT/WHOI robotic turtle swimming

Image #8 - (“The Turtle”) MIT/WHOI graduate student building robotic turtle

Image #9 - (“Robotic Ray”) Robotic stingray by BIER Labs

Image #10 - (“Robotic Manta”) Robotic manta ray named “RoMan-III”

Creating a robotic stingray will benefit marine biologists and educators in classrooms, in research institutes, and in the field throughout the year. These individuals continuously seek accessible information and knowledge. Students absorb and fully understand material with supporting data and visuals. The model allows the educators to provide a tangible experience to those learning about the stingray.

Image #11 - (Biology Class) Students learning through hands on activities in biology class.

Image #12 - (Marine Biology Students) Teaching biology class with a hands on demonstration.

Image #13 - (Battaglia, Sydney) Thomas Manning holding a skate, similar to a stingray.

Image #14 - (Marine Biologist) Men swimming with rays in their natural habitat.

Image #15 - (Captive Stingray) Man interacting with a stingray in captivity.

With the ability to reference a realistic model, marine biologists and educators acquire a better understanding of how the stingray functions in its natural environment. The educators can share this knowledge with students of all educational levels. Additionally, engineers can utilize the accessible information to improve on existing underwater remotely operated vehicles or to create new models.

Image #16 - (Robotic Fish) Students observing a robotic fish in an aquarium.

Image #17 - (Stingray Swimming) Robotic stingray undulating.

Image #18 - (Manta Ray Robot) Robotic stingray flapping.

Image #19 - (“Center for Environmental”) Mold of an undulatory stingray.

Image #20 - (Internal Components) Components of a robot stingray.

The lack of stingray information inhibits marine biologists, instructors, and students. The project allows these individuals to access and understand data on a stingray’s form and features. The distribution of knowledge enhances the marine learning environment. Marine students receive a visual educational experience, allowing for future discoveries and increased knowledge. Engineers experience a hands-on environment, accumulating knowledge to develop improved animatronic models.

Image #21 - (New England Aquarium) Children interacting with stingrays in an aquarium.

Image #22 - (Woman Teaching) Woman teaching students with a visual model.

Image #23 - (Microscope) Woman studying in the lab.

Image #24 - (BUMP Lab) Laboratory at BUMP.

Image #25 - (Divers) Scuba divers swimming with stingrays in their natural habitat.

The animatronic stingray will portray a realistic and natural feel that complements the natural colors in the ocean. To simulate a realistic mood, the robot’s colors will utilize the natural tones of a stingray. In addition, the robotic stingray must be able to flap its wings to simulate natural movement in the same way a stingray does. The stingray, although mechanical and man-made, must have a natural design to create a realistic feel. This meld of robotic and realistic features will benefit students studying the animatronic stingray.

Image #26 -(Three Stingrays) Stingrays swimming along the ocean floor.

Image #27 - (Ocean Floor Stingray) Stingray in its natural habitat, waiting for prey.

Image #28 - (Grand Cayman) Stingray swimming in the wild.

Image #29 - (Stingray) Stingray flapping its wings to swim.

Image #30 - (Southern Stingray) Stingray covered in sand to blend with its environment.

Though engineers have created animatronic marine animals, the models proved to ineffectively portray stingrays. Accurate information regarding the stingray fails to reach the classroom. The previous teaching methods do not involve an interactive approach, which can hinder the learning process. Without an in-classroom model to reference, examine, and study, students will not retain important information as easily.

To improve this situation, the group will design, construct, and build an autonomous, animatronic stingray to promote educational advancement. Educators and students lack adequate knowledge on the stingray, and educators lack an effective means of presenting the information. The project accurately portrays the authentic appearance and movement of a stingray and presents information to students through tangible means.

Works Cited

"Animatronic Puppeteered Stingray." Marcs Creature Company. N.p., n.d. Web. 4 Mar. 2016.

Aquarium Stingrays. Digital image. Bp.blogspot. N.p., n.d. Web. 10 Mar. 2016. <https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMzutouBhVbVu1vPAAEZcbkDZXwK0j2LvC9WpqjWeWnm60mXIZ1qpyBY3odXu2PDoaEobrdkdpt8J_AW7x2XtqJvHM7golkVy3YcLqUTiUCVipdUwG5yADTh0qIqj2wEvWFXTgz5gVuzk/s1600/Aquarium+at+the+Bay+2010+037.jpg>.

"Bart-smith Labs." Bart-smith Labs. N.p., n.d. Web. 10 Mar. 2016. <http://www.bartsmithlabs.com/bier/index.html>.

Biology Class. Digital image. English-Online. N.p., n.d. Web. 10 Mar. 2016. <http://www.english-online.at/news-articles/education/biology-class-in-florida-elementary-school.jpg>.

"Biology Professor Rates Top Marks on Popular Website." About Mason Biology Professor. N.p., n.d. Web. 10 Mar. 2016. <https://about.gmu.edu/biology-professor-rates-top-marks-on-popular-website/>.

BUMP Lab. Digital image. BU.edu. N.p., n.d. Web. 10 Mar. 2016. <http://www.bu.edu/bump/files/2012/05/BUMP-Lab-2.jpg>.

"Captive Stingray." DayDreamIsland. N.p., n.d. Web. 3 Aug. 2016. <http://www.daydreamisland.com/reefranger.php>.

"Center for Environmental Sensing and Modeling   //." CENSAM Featured News. N.p., n.d. Web. 03 Aug. 2016. <http://censam.mit.edu/lists/censam%20featured%20news/allitems.aspx>.

Class in High School. Digital image. Photshelter. N.p., n.d. Web. 10 Mar. 2016. <http://cdn.c.photoshelter.com/img-get/I0000qOyB64A30_E/s/900/900/Marine-biology-class-in-the-high-school-2.jpg>.

Divers. Digital image. Static-Secure. N.p., n.d. Web. 10 Mar. 2016. <https://static-secure.guim.co.uk/sys-images/Environment/Pix/columnists/2009/5/29/1243597576969/Divers-at-Stingray-City-001.jpg>.

George Mason. N.d. Www2.gmu.edu/. Web. 3 Aug. 2016. <https://www2.gmu.edu/>.

Grand Cayman. N.d. Www.scubadivingvssnorkeling.com. Web. 3 Aug. 2016. <http://www.scubadivingvssnorkeling.com/snorkeling-stingray-city-grand-cayman/>.

High School Students In Classroom. Digital image. Site About Children. N.p., n.d. Web. 10 Mar. 2016. <http://siteaboutchildren.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/05/high-school-students-in-classroom-54tokmmx.jpg>.

"Interesting Information About Stingrays." Fun Stingray Facts for Kids - Interesting Information about Stingrays. N.p., n.d. Web. 10 Mar. 2016. <http://www.sciencekids.co.nz/sciencefacts/animals/stingray.html>.

Internal Components - Robotic Stingray. Digital image. Grgmrr. N.p., n.d. Web. 10 Mar. 2016. <http://www.grgmrr.com/img/project_mechproto_360x240.jpg>.

Manta Ray Robot. Digital image. BlueBird. N.p., n.d. Web. 10 Mar. 2016. <http://www.bluebird-electric.net/oceanography/ocean_pictures/manta-ray-robot-water-creatures.jpg>.

"Marcs Creature Company." Marcs Creature Company. N.p., n.d. Web. 10 Mar. 2016. <http://www.marcscreaturecompany.com/Sting_Ray.htm>.

Marine Biologist. Digital image. Tripadvisor. N.p., n.d. Web. 10 Mar. 2016. <http://media-cdn.tripadvisor.com/media/photo-s/00/10/9b/8e/marine-biologist-with.jpg>.

Marine Biology Class. Digital image. Photobucket. N.p., n.d. Web. 10 Mar. 2016. <http://smg.photobucket.com/user/minhong/media/Angsana/MarineBiologyClass_HR.jpg.html>.

Marine Biology Students. Digital image. Cmsimg.app.com. N.p., n.d. Web. 10 Mar. 2016. <http://cmsimg.app.com/apps/pbcsi.dll/bilde?Site=B3&Date=20100225&Category=LIFE&ArtNo=2250305&Ref=AR&MaxW=640&Border=0&Marine-biology-allows-students-dig-deep-into-science>.

Microscope. Digital image. Weare.Cpp.Edu. N.p., n.d. Web. 10 Mar. 2016. <https://weare.cpp.edu/wp-content/uploads/2014/12/jill-adler-moore-microscope.jpg>.

New England Aquarium. Digital image. NEAQ. N.p., n.d. Web. 10 Mar. 2016. <http://www.neaq.org/about_us/news_and_media/photo_collections/photos/new_england_aquarium_2011_shark_and_ray_touch_tank_4.jpg>.

Ocean Floor Stingray. Digital image. Adamjadhav. N.p., n.d. Web. 10 Mar. 2016. <http://adamjadhav.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/10/stingray.jpg>.

Rare Footage of Stingray - Natural World: Andrea Queen of Mantas. YouTube. N.p., 11 Nov. 2009. Web. 10 Mar. 2016. <https://youtu.be/q3oJGKA5SHk>.

Robotic Fish. Digital image. Inhabitat. N.p., n.d. Web. 10 Mar. 2016. <http://www.inhabitat.com/wp-content/uploads/roboticfish-1.jpg>.

"Robotic Manta Ray (RoMan-III)." YouTube. N.p., n.d. Web. 03 Aug. 2016. <https://youtu.be/q8jJ84y_82k>.

Robotic Ray Takes a Swim. BIER Lab, 10 Apr. 2012. Web. 10 Mar. 2016. <https://youtu.be/1-iyPHse8uk>.

Soft Robotics. Digital image. Ibtimes. N.p., n.d. Web. 10 Mar. 2016. <http://d.ibtimes.co.uk/en/full/1434695/stingray-soft-robotics-mit-smart.jpg?w=736>.

Southern Stingray. Digital image. Bp.blogspot. N.p., n.d. Web. 10 Mar. 2016. <https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjEnQVIpxkGWVVHqHt9Tl5bGxld0kvMRvnSBvanSEArSuPiArCDQav5Rf8HCEsyJF1KOYe9__EaVVLgO1jAJDVvg4TU759yS6HMZEFD4ELDiUW7FL00hUeNR35i_3mSrYgy6luN1j1mwYs7/s1600/Southern+stingray3.jpg>.

Stingray. Digital image. Bp.blogspot.com. N.p., n.d. Web. 10 Mar. 2016. <https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEirnYYMZmdaWfodYBUCCM30VztuVYsG9XXxykkwmpES5CpkGa7SQy2Qb-x0gknU5YxRV0ui3eV9j4gJ_bG5tzNgmlGaP_U45J9zZ3ryZ_N7MrNf9pAR_F0Hfbv7BWjt4iFr_zQTKEioBRs/s1600/stingray_4.jpg>.

Stingray Feeding. Digital image. Day Dream Island. N.p., n.d. Web. 10 Mar. 2016. <http://daydreamisland.com/image/StingrayFeeding.jpg>.

Stingray Swimming. Digital image. Mechatronics. N.p., n.d. Web. 10 Mar. 2016. <http://mechatronics.mit.edu/wp-content/uploads/2013/08/800px-Swimming_stingray.jpg>

Three Stingrays. Digital image. N.p., n.d. Web. 10 Mar. 2016. <http://cache4.asset-cache.net/gc/323045-001-three-stingrays-on-ocean-floor-grand-cayman-gettyimages.jpg?v=1&c=IWSAsset&k=2&d=s0Zk7Y%2fj9cfY%2fxP2vNYaMyg%2bJGLrGE4Me0H%2fPMf%2fYR4%3d>.

"The Turtle and the Robot." : Student Research : MIT/WHOI Joint Program. N.p., n.d. Web. 10 Mar. 2016. <http://mit.whoi.edu/student-research?tid=1423&cid=54066>.

"Woman Teaching." Savannahnow.com. N.p., n.d. Web. 03 Aug. 2016. <http://savannahnow.com/2009-03-10/juliette-low-third-graders-get-hands-learning-about-crabs>.