China Launches Advanced Deep-Sea Robot for South China Sea Exploration
On September 28, China set sail from Weihai port in Shandong province with a domestically developed deep-sea robotic vehicle designed to operate at depths reaching 4500 meters. This mission, conducted in partnership with the Weihai branch of Harbin Institute of Technology, aims to test the robot’s full system performance in real ocean conditions, marking a significant step from laboratory prototypes toward practical industrial applications.
Design Features and Operational Roles
Equipped with a sophisticated seven-axis hydraulic manipulator, the robot is engineered to undertake a variety of underwater tasks. Over 30 technical challenges were addressed during its development, including:
- Pressure-sealed hull design
- Advanced propulsion system
- Underwater communication technology
- Autonomous navigation capabilities
The robot is intended to support activities such as:
- Oil and gas extraction
- Inspection of subsea pipelines
- Mineral resource exploration
- Scientific sampling and research
- Emergency rescue operations
China’s portfolio of deep-sea technology also includes the Haiqin system, rated for operations at depths up to 6000 meters. In 2025, Haiqin reached 4140 meters in the South China Sea, collecting biological and sediment samples. It was deployed alongside the full-ocean-depth vehicle Haidou-1. Earlier, in 2024, the research vessel Mengxiang descended to 5000 meters in the South China Sea basin, retrieving basalt samples. During this expedition, two remotely operated vehicles logged over 358 hours working near 4000 meters depth. These efforts contribute to geological research, environmental monitoring, and resource identification in deep marine environments.
The introduction of this new deep-sea robot underscores China's commitment to strengthening its strategic presence in the region and expanding its marine resource exploration capabilities. As competition intensifies over natural resources in the South China Sea, such advanced underwater technologies are likely to play a crucial role. This expedition also highlights China’s drive to advance cutting-edge underwater engineering, which supports both economic development and the enhancement of scientific expertise in marine technology.
The advancement of China's underwater capabilities is further highlighted by its recent achievement of a new world record with 116 autonomous underwater drones operating simultaneously for 34 minutes. This milestone not only demonstrates the country's growing expertise in marine technology but also complements the ongoing efforts in deep-sea exploration, paving the way for more innovative applications in the future.