Ananova:

The world's first autonomously-controlled robotic fish have been unveiled at London Aquarium.

The robotic fish are said to swim as fast as tuna, with the acceleration of a pike and the navigation skills of an eel.

The fish, designed by Professor Huosheng Hu, of Essex University, navigate by sensor based controls, and mimic the motion of fish.

Prof Hu's team worked with the London Aquarium for three years to develop a biologically-inspired robot that mimics the undulating movement of real fish.

Prof Hu said the project aimed to bring the public into direct contact with robots, increasing their understanding of science and technology.

He said: "This work has many real-world applications including detecting leaks in oil pipelines, mine counter-measures and improving the performance of underwater vehicles."