  Ocean dynamics play a crucial role in global climate, ecosystems, and human
activities, necessitating accurate and efficient methods to characterize ocean
currents and waves. This paper presents the development of a novel bio-inspired
hydrofoil system for detecting and characterizing ocean currents and waves
based on a dolphin's flipper foil design. The prototype's performance was
assessed through controlled experiments, demonstrating the system's ability to
quickly and accurately orientate itself in the direction of flow. Wave
mechanics and a geometric proof were applied to estimate wave parameters such
as wave height and current from the hydrofoil's positioning. The proposed
hydrofoil system shows potential for use in various marine applications,
including oceanographic research, environmental monitoring, and navigation. The
bio-inspired hydrofoil system offers a promising approach to ocean current and
wave characterization, with the potential to significantly impact our
understanding and monitoring of ocean dynamics without greatly impacting
vehicle performance or increasing power utilization in operation.
