Last week, this year’s submarine built by the HSRW Submarine Team at Rhein-Waal University of Applied Sciences was christened Rivershark II. As is customary with submarines, the christening was carried out with beer – this year, in fact, with the university’s own ‘Spoybräu’.
The submarine is a one-person sub designed and built by students from the Faculty of Technology and Bionics, and is powered by the pilot’s muscle power. The pilot pedals, thereby moving artificial fish fins which generate propulsion. In addition, this year the submarine steers itself using innovative bionic sensors and a mechatronic control system. “The students have once again invested a great deal of time in further developing and improving the submarine and its bionic propulsion system. This year, the submarine has also been given a new design,” says Prof. Dr William M Megill, Professor of Bionics specialising in sensor technology and robotics at the Faculty of Technology and Bionics. He would also like to express his particular thanks to the Friends of Rhein-Waal University of Applied Sciences – Cleve Campus e.V. and the numerous local businesses whose support made this project possible.
At the end of June, the HSRW Submarine Team will take part in an international submarine race in Washington, USA. As the only German team, it will compete against participants from colleges and universities around the world and hopefully bring victory back to Kleve.
Further information and videos can be found online at www.subrace.eu or on the Facebook fan page of the participating students under ‘HSRW Submarine Team’.
