Nature Inspires Better Underwater Robots at UMD

Dr. Cecilia Huertas Cerdeira delivers the September 2, 2026 Evening@SMART presentation

What can we learn from nature about building better underwater robots?

At the University of Maryland MATRIX Lab’s September 2 Evening@SMART presentation, Dr. Cecilia Huertas Cerdeira explored how millions of years of biological evolution have equipped aquatic animals with remarkably efficient ways to move, sense, and respond to complex underwater environments. Her research team draws on these natural principles to develop technologies that could make unmanned underwater vehicles more efficient, agile, and capable.

The talk highlighted two areas of this work, with a particular focus on the mechanics of underwater sensing and locomotion.

Designing Better Underwater Motion

One focus of the research is understanding how geometry and movement influence force generation and stability.

The team investigated how different whisker geometries perform when rotated around their longitudinal axis. Among the configurations studied, a U-shaped distribution demonstrated the strongest performance, compared with uniform, U-shaped, and asymmetric designs.

The research also examined tapered geometries. Tapering produced smoother deformation and reduced self-induced oscillations, suggesting that carefully engineered shapes can improve both performance and stability in underwater sensing systems.

From Nature to Engineering

The significance of this work extends beyond replicating a biological feature.

By combining physical experimentation with computational and data-driven techniques, Dr. Huertas Cerdeira's team is working toward a more adaptive approach to underwater robotics - one where sensing, movement, geometry, and control can be designed together.

For unmanned underwater vehicles, these advances could ultimately support greater efficiency, agility, and environmental awareness, helping robotic systems operate more effectively in challenging underwater conditions.

The Evening@SMART conversation offered a compelling example of how interdisciplinary research can translate insights from biology into new engineering possibilities and how fundamental questions about nature can inspire the next generation of intelligent robotic systems.

Story written by Briana Dawson, MPH - Communications, Outreach, and Marketing Coordinator, USMSM

Published October 26, 2026