Weir Shepherd concept 2013 08 16
This document discusses the concept of a "Weir Shepherd", which is an autonomous underwater vehicle designed to help control risks for fishers using weirs. A weir is a type of fishing net structure that can be expensive to build but provide large catches or no catch depending on factors outside the fishers' control. The proposed Weir Shepherd would use biomimetic design inspired by whales and seals to herd fish into weirs, direct marine mammals away from weirs to prevent entanglement, and protect weirs from damage from weather. It would use 3D printing, artificial muscles, sensors and onboard computers to operate autonomously for several days assisting weir fisheries. Major challenges to developing this concept include generating sufficient power
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Weir Shepherd concept 2013 08 16
- 2. What is a Weir? • A means of fishing involving fixed nets in a specific pattern • A capital investment involving calculated risk http://whales.org/en-us/node/9005
- 3. Factors involving Financial Return on a Weir Investment • Fish may or may not migrate along path intersecting with Weir netting • Porpoises, Dolphins, or Whales may become trapped in Weir, necessitating costly rescue efforts and releasing fish already caught • Damage from weather http://gmwsrs.blogspot.com/2013_01_01_archive.html
- 4. Weir Stakes • “A weir can cost from $40,000 - $60,000 to construct.” • “It can fill up with fish and earn you $100,000 overnight... or it can stay empty and earn you nothing at all”. Stephen Robinson, Top of the Island Boat Tours, Grand Manan, August 2013
- 5. Controlling Major Risk Factors in Weir Fishing Currently Uncontrollable Risk Factor How To Control Fish may or may not migrate along path intersecting with Weir netting Herd fish into Weir mouth Porpoises, Dolphins, or Whales may become trapped in Weir, necessitating costly rescue efforts and releasing fish already caught. Direct Cetaceans away from Weir mouth Damage from weather No Solution
- 6. Enabling Concepts Drone Vehicles $100B+ industry + Biomimetic Robots $100B+ industry In Water
- 7. Weir Shepherd Concept • Bio-mimetic Autonomous Underwater vehicle • 3d printed skeleton based on actual organisms: Minke whales or Seals • Propelled using artificial muscles mimicking natural swimming motion • Powered for several days using internal batteries • Watertight skin with no metal exposure to sea water • • On board sensors Programmable for specific tasks such as herding behaviour and perimeter defense http://www.gmwsrs.info/education/gaskin-museum/
- 8. ‘Initial’ R & D Requirements • Scan complete skeleton of a target creature form factor (they are available at Grand Manan Whale and Seabird Research Station) • 3D print a replica skeleton as a basis for development • Construct an artificial musculature on skeleton using memory / muscle wire • Build a control plane for musculature using small microprocessors • • • Externally power for prototype Cover with waterproof coating Validate ability to ‘swim’ using pre-programmed movements
- 9. Major Challenges • Generating sufficient Musculature Power • Provisioning sufficient Powering Capacity • Generating Usable Sensory Input • Enabling Autonomous Navigation • Enabling Task Fulfilment Capability http://melissaryansart.blogspot.com/ 2010_07_01_archive.html