Codename: Jellyfish is a project who's goal is to create a 9-foot tall RC aerial floating jellyfish inspired by Festo’s AquaJellies 2.0 project in 2013.

About

The project started as a company project for a group of employees at Festo who were fascinated by the graceful and elegant movements of jellyfish in the water. They wondered if they could replicate the same effect in the air, using lightweight materials and advanced electronics. They created Festo’s AquaJellies 2.0 project, which showcased artificial jellyfish that could swim autonomously and communicate with each other in a water tank. We decided to use Festo’s design as a reference and modify it for aerial use.

Inspiration

The project draws inspiration from both nature and technology. The jellyfish’s shape, color, and motion are based on the moon jellyfish (Aurelia aurita), which is one of the most common and widely distributed species of jellyfish in the world. The jellyfish’s body is made of translucent plastic that allows light to pass through, creating a glowing effect. The jellyfish’s tentacles are made of flexible wires that can bend and twist in response to the air currents. The jellyfish’s propulsion system is based on Festo’s AirJelly, which uses a helium-filled balloon and an electric drive to generate lift and thrust. The jellyfish’s control system is based on Arduino, which is an open-source platform for building interactive electronic projects.

Features

The project will have several features that would make it unique and innovative. Some of them are:

• The jellyfish can float in the air for up to an hour on a single charge of its battery.
• The jellyfish can be controlled remotely using a custom application app or a joystick.
• The jellyfish can display different colors and patterns using LED lights, creating a dynamic visual spectacle.

Goals

The project has several goals that motivate its creators and supporters. Some of them are:

• To explore the possibilities of bio-inspired robotics and aerial art, combining science, engineering, and creativity.
• To inspire curiosity and wonder in people who see the jellyfish in action, sparking their interest in nature and technology.
• To raise awareness and appreciation for the beauty and diversity of life on Earth, especially the marine ecosystem.
• To contribute to the advancement of knowledge and innovation in the fields of robotics, electronics, and communication.