A robotic fish design maintains its swimming performance when scaled to different sizes.

What it means

Researchers have developed a robotic fish called ScaFi that can be built in three different sizes—small, medium, and large—while maintaining the same swimming performance. This is notable because scaling robots typically degrades their efficiency, but ScaFi uses a parametric design that allows its body and tail to flex similarly across sizes, mimicking real fish like cod and mackerel. The work addresses a key challenge in underwater robotics: creating a single platform that works effectively in environments ranging from shallow creeks to open water.

Accuracy & sourcesGrounded

The claim is well-supported by a peer-reviewed paper in Nature (Communications Engineering) and has been reported consistently by multiple reputable outlets, including Robohub, PopSci, and New Atlas. The reporting closely reflects the primary source, and the findings are presented with clear experimental evidence from three scaled prototypes.

How new

The underlying research was published in July 2026, and this wave of news coverage appeared in late August and September 2026, making it genuinely new reporting of recent work.

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