Optimized Fish Locomotion using Design-by-Morphing and Bayesian Optimization
Abstract
Nature has always inspired scientists and engineers to understand the underlying mechanism leading to optimal design in bio-inspired dynamics. This study presents a computational framework for optimizing undulatory swimming profiles using a combination of Design-by-Morphing and Bayesian optimization strategies. The swimming profile are expressed by morphing five baseline bio-inspired profiles using Design-by-Morphing to create an exploratory design space. The optimization objective is to find the optimal swimming profile, wavelength and undulation frequency to maximize propulsive efficiency. The optimized swimming profiles demonstrate a marked improvement in propulsive efficiency relative to the reference anguilliform and carangiform modes. The best-performing optimized cases achieve peak efficiencies in the range of 49-57\% over a broad range of kinematic conditions, representing an overall enhancement of 16-35\% compared to reference anguilliform and carangiform modes. The improved performance is attributed to favorable surface stress distributions and enhanced energy recovery mechanisms. A detailed force decomposition reveals that the optimal swimmer minimizes resistive drag and maximizes constructive work contributions, particularly in the anterior and posterior body regions. Spatial and temporal work decomposition indicates a strategic redistribution of input and recovered energy, enhancing performance while reducing energetic cost relative to propulsive force. These findings demonstrate that morphing-based parametric design, when guided by surrogate-assisted optimization, offers a powerful framework for discovering energetically efficient swimming gaits, with significant implications for the design of autonomous underwater propulsion systems and the broader field of bio-inspired locomotion.
Cite
@article{arxiv.2510.00044,
title = {Optimized Fish Locomotion using Design-by-Morphing and Bayesian Optimization},
author = {Hamayun Farooq and Imran Akhtar and Muhammad Saif Ullah Khalid and Haris Moazam Sheikh},
journal= {arXiv preprint arXiv:2510.00044},
year = {2026}
}