11:38am UK, Monday July 21, 2003

The world's only robotic swimming shark is moving into an aquarium to 'live' alongside four live sharks.

180 Roboshark2 plymouth Harbour Smart Sharks

Roboshark2 marks its territory

The two-metre long creature called Roboshark2 will spend up to three years alongside sand tiger sharks at the National Marine Aquarium in Plymouth.

Aquarium staff will monitor the sharks' reaction to their new companion to learn more about their behaviour and intelligence.

The 35kg robot swims using a combination of sensors and thrusters and its computer dictates swimming patterns, speed, depth and direction.

Roboshark2 swims in all directions at a speed of three miles per hour, similar to the cruising speed of real sharks.

Kelvin Boot, head of education at the National Marine Aquarium, said: "This is a very sophisticated piece of underwater technology.

"It is a fantastic example of how technology can be applied to help us understand more about the oceans."

The robot can withstand huge water pressure up to a depth of 30 metres.

If necessary, inventor Andrew Sneath can override its controls from the surface.

Roboshark2 can swim for four hours before its batteries need recharging.

The first Roboshark, built for the BBC series Smart Sharks, contained a hidden camera which filmed live sharks in their natural habitats.

Roboshark1 will swim through Plymouth's harbour today before going on display at the National Marine Aquarium.