Research

Under the guidance of Prof. Maurizio Porfiri, Raymond is developing an underwater robotic fish capable of being controlled by an iPhone/iPad application. The project is a cooperative venture between NYU-Poly and the New York Aquarium involving an exhibit containing several robotic fish. The activity enhances the aquarium experience while participants learn multiple new concepts in biology and animal behavior. Using iPhone/iPad devices and other exhibit controls, engaged youngsters can control a robot fish or even a small school of fish to experiment with how fish function and interact with their environment. This will also provide an opportunity for the participant to mimic what he or she has observed in the big tank of live fish. This robotic experience will help the public better understand live fish, aquatic environments, engineering, robotics, and marine science. This research will also give insight into the process of how people learn, as well as a better understanding of human-device interaction.