Students at the National University of Sciences and Technology Karachi Campus have developed a bio-inspired underwater snake robot, drawing on the biomechanics of the yellow-bellied sea snake, scientifically known as Hydrophis platurus, which is considered one of the fastest-swimming sea snakes in the world. The project was carried out by students Hamza Imdad, Qazi Khizar Ali, and Hamza Hassan under the supervision of Dr. Khurram Kamal at NUST’s Pakistan Navy Engineering College, and represents a noteworthy contribution to the field of underwater robotics research from within Pakistan’s higher education sector.
According to the university, the research team successfully carried out the world’s first Computational Fluid Dynamics analysis of sea snakes and combined those findings with advanced motion modelling, buoyancy balancing, and structural simulations to design the robotic system. Computational Fluid Dynamics analysis involves using numerical methods and algorithms to simulate how fluids interact with surfaces and structures, and applying it to sea snake locomotion for the first time allowed the team to gain precise data on how these animals generate thrust and maintain directional stability in water. That foundational analysis informed every subsequent engineering decision in the robot’s development, from the articulation of its body segments to the mechanisms governing its propulsion and depth control.
The underwater robot mimics the efficient swimming patterns of sea snakes, enabling improved manoeuvrability and propulsion in aquatic environments, with potential applications spanning underwater exploration, environmental monitoring, marine research, and defence-related operations. The snake-inspired form factor offers distinct advantages over conventional propeller-driven underwater vehicles in confined or complex environments, where flexible, low-profile movement through tight spaces and irregular terrain is more practical than rotary thrust systems. The research team plans to further enhance the robot by incorporating greater autonomy, intelligent navigation capabilities, and real-world deployment features, paving the way for more advanced underwater robotic systems in the future. The project adds to NUST’s growing track record in applied engineering research and reflects the broader direction that Pakistani universities are taking in developing technology with practical defence, environmental, and scientific applications.
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