Weir ShepherdConcept

http://ancientpoint.com/inf/93235-17th_c_dutch_delft_tile_with_a_half_dog_and_half_fish.html

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

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 weatherhttp://gmwsrs.blogspot.com/2013_01_01_archive.html

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

Controlling Major Risk Factors in Weir FishingCurrently 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

Enabling Concepts

Drone Vehicles$100B+ industry

Biomimetic Robots$100B+ industry+

In Water

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/

‘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

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