Abstract:The underwater bionic flapping-wing robot developed with reference to the swimming methods of manta rays and other fish has many advantages such as high efficiency, strong maneuverability, and large load capacity. Due to its broad application prospects, the underwater bionic flapping wing robot has gradually become a research hotspot in the field of underwater vehicles. This paper systematically summarizes and sorts out the research progress at home and abroad on the biological characteristics of manta rays, the structural design of robots, dynamic models, single motion control, swarm control, and experimental research. Existing studies have shown that underwater bionic flapping-wing robots are developing in the direction of softness, clustering, and high mobility. Emerging underwater bionic flapping-wing robots and bionic swarms can more accurately simulate the swimming posture of real creatures and carry out related tasks. The current research has laid a solid theoretical and practical foundation for the further optimization and improvement of the performance of the underwater bionic flapping-wing robot.