Mantis-Inspired Blaster
A concept underwater tool designed to help divers clear rocks, metal debris, and vegetation with higher speed and safety in low-visibility, high-current environments. Inspired by the mantis shrimp’s forelimb strike and cavitation effect, this design explores a compact “impact-first” platform with a stable two-hand frame and a future-proof modular head system for multiple underwater tasks.
Project Type:
Solo Project
Industrial Design
Deliverables:
Form exploration, mechanism development , CAD & prototype, CMF Design & 3D rendering
Time Frame:
3 Month / 2021
Tools:
SolidWorks, Fusion 360, KeyShot, Vizcom, Adobe
Outcome
Underwater work (construction, experiments, relic search) amplifies risk: limited visibility, unstable currents, and unpredictable marine life all compete for a diver’s attention. CALCIX targets the moments when divers must remove obstacles quickly, either to continue a mission or to exit an unsafe situation. The design requirement is not “more functions,” but fast, reliable clearance under stress, with controls and grip that remain usable in gloves and turbulent water.
The concept translates mantis shrimp strike logic into an industrial form: a rigid, two-hand protective frame stabilizes the tool during high-load interactions, while the front assembly is designed around an impact-oriented “crash head” architecture. Development focused on a clear mechanical narrative (strike energy delivery, controlled handling, and durable front-end geometry), supported by iterative prototypes and a physical model to validate proportions, grip ergonomics, and head configuration. The system also proposes a modular future roadmap: interchangeable heads (cutter/spreader, kicker, driller) extend the platform beyond impact clearing without redesigning the core body.
