It's also twice as big, so we can measure larger forces and have a wake that's easier to visualize. Packed inside are two car batteries, a 486 desktop computer, a power-sensing circuit, and a voltage converter that changes the battery power into the power used by the computer and by the four motors that control the motion of the flippers. These commands are relayed to the onboard computer via a monitor and keyboard that are then disconnected from the computer and remain on the shore. Once Proteus begins moving through the water it is controlled by a remote control. That data, in turn, allows them to calculate the efficiency of each run.
Future work includes designing a flipper system that allows for maneuvering as well as propulsion.
Currently Proteus can only move in a straight line. As a result, for tests on the Charles the boat is attached via two guides on its left to a long string of fishing line that in turn is strung between two piers. I can build more advanced models. He also likes sharing the excitement with others. The work is supported by the Office of Naval Research and the MIT Sea Grant College Program.