Highly Sensitive and Integratable Triboelectric Bionic Lateral Line Sensor for Flow Recognition of Underwater Vehicle

Abstract The ability to perceive underwater flow fields is essential for the stable operation and efficient navigation of underwater vehicles. Fish use their lateral lines to detect changes in the surrounding flow field, even in low visibility and harsh environments. Inspired by the lateral line neuromasts of fish, this paper introduces a triboelectric bionic lateral‐line sensor (TBLS) designed to enable underwater vehicles to detect flow fields, including propeller‐generated wakes and oscillating flows. The TBLS comprises a flexible sensing unit and a bionic lateral‐line canal. It has a measurement error of just 5.7% in determining the characteristic thickness of propeller wakes and has a pressure gradient sensitivity of 2.1 mV Pa m⁻¹. The H2O AutoML algorithm significantly enhances the recognition of oscillatory flow signals. Finally, the TBLS is integrated into an underwater vehicle, demonstrating its ability to detect underwater flow fields and transmit signals 117 meters to a receiving end via a wireless transmission module in real‐sea conditions. The TBLS provides a novel approach to enhancing flow field perception and underwater operational capabilities of vehicles.