Record-Breaking Autonomous Underwater Drone Operation
On September 30, 2023, at 13:03, a Chinese team achieved a world record by simultaneously deploying 116 TH-618 underwater drones that navigated autonomously for 34 minutes. These drones traveled about 500 meters in a pool without any human intervention. This remarkable feat has been officially recognized by the Guinness World Records.
Specifications and Future Uses of TH-618 Drones
The test was a collaboration between Northwestern Polytechnical University and the company Xian Tianhe Maritime Technologies. Each TH-618 drone measures roughly 60 cm in length and 20 cm in width, weighing just over 5 kg. They boast a range of up to 30 kilometers and can operate continuously for more than 8 hours. Their navigation relies on camera-based systems that interpret the surrounding environment and adjust their course accordingly.
This breakthrough highlights the advancement of larger-scale autonomous underwater systems utilizing swarm technology. Northwestern Polytechnical University has been pioneering underwater sensing, acoustic communication, and visual perception technologies for over two decades. The drone swarm demonstrated in this record attempt illustrates the complexity involved in scaling autonomous underwater navigation beyond small groups.
Xian Tianhe Maritime Technologies has identified promising applications for these drones, including detailed seabed surveys and inspections of oil and gas pipelines. Notably, in July 2023, Chinese researchers also explored military uses for drone swarms around contested islands in the South China Sea.
This new Chinese record more than doubles the previous benchmark set by an EU-funded project, which utilized 41 autonomous underwater robots. Meanwhile, in the United States, tests are underway for the HADALUS underwater drone, capable of launching weapons or deploying payloads from depth without surfacing. HADALUS measures 34 feet (approximately 10 meters) in length and features an open carbon frame that floods freely with water. US Navy representatives have monitored HADALUS trials at an underwater test range, illustrating the global race to advance autonomous underwater vehicle technologies.
China's achievement underscores rapid progress in autonomous control and swarm systems for underwater vehicles, with significant implications for marine research and military operations. As competition intensifies in this strategic domain, nations are accelerating innovation to safeguard their interests in critical regions such as the South China Sea. This development highlights the growing importance of autonomous systems in both defense and civilian maritime applications.
As advancements in drone technology continue to reshape industries, the recent achievement of the TH-618 underwater drones is reminiscent of another significant milestone in the field. Just months earlier, an American battery-powered drone set a remarkable record for flight duration, covering over 450 km in more than 8 hours. This highlights the rapid evolution of autonomous systems across various environments. For more details on this impressive flight achievement, explore the full story here.