In recent years, the exploration of terrestrial resources has become increasingly limited, prompting greater attention to marine resources. The development and application of underwater robots have played a crucial role in advancing China's marine resource exploitation. As technology continues to evolve, various types of underwater robots have emerged and are experiencing rapid growth.
Robots are not only essential tools for advanced manufacturing but also key drivers in improving the quality of human life. Developing the robotics industry is vital for China to build new competitive advantages in manufacturing, promote industrial upgrades, accelerate national development, and enhance people’s living standards.
Underwater robots, also known as remotely operated vehicles (ROVs), are designed for extreme underwater operations. Due to the complexity and unpredictability of underwater environments, and the limitations of human diving capabilities, these robots have become indispensable tools for exploring the ocean depths.
The early prototypes of underwater robots were submersibles. In 1953, the first unmanned remotely operated vehicle was introduced. As the marine industry expanded, ROVs gained increasing importance. From 1975 to 1985, there was significant progress in remote-controlled submersibles. The development of offshore oil and gas industries spurred research into submersible technologies, leading to a substantial increase in both the number and variety of submersibles.
With the rise of artificial intelligence, many countries have increased their focus on marine resources and invested heavily in underwater robotics. The U.S., Japan, and France, which were among the first to develop underwater robots, now possess advanced technologies in this field.
China has also made remarkable progress. Since the 1980s, the country has been actively researching and developing underwater robots. Recently, China successfully launched the 4500-meter manned submersible "Jilong," marking a major leap in its underwater robotics capabilities.
Domestically, companies are expanding into international markets. On May 16th, the "White Shark MIX" from Tianjin Deep Blue Ocean Equipment Technology Co., Ltd. was launched on the U.S. crowdfunding platform Indiegogo. This consumer-grade underwater drone allows ordinary users to explore the underwater world with ease.
Chinese underwater robots are also gaining traction in Japan. Judy, a Chinese robotics company, released its underwater fish-seeking robot, PowerRay, in the Japanese market. The device extends human vision and mobility into the water, enabling visual fishing experiences.
PowerRay comes in three versions: the basic exploration model for 1080P HD underwater shooting, the fish-seeking version with enhanced features, and the premium master version that includes VR glasses and high-end packaging.
As technology advances, underwater robots will continue to evolve rapidly. Future models are expected to mimic the propulsion efficiency of fish, achieve higher speeds, and offer greater flexibility. They will also become more versatile, equipped with AI to operate independently and make decisions based on environmental data. These advancements will enable them to perform complex tasks in deep-sea environments, supporting future ocean exploration and resource detection.
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