China presented a robot shark for special missions (5 photos + 1 video)

The Chinese company Shenyang Aerospace Xinguang Group has unveiled an underwater robot. The one-of-a-kind bionic fish can do almost everything a real whale shark can, including diving to a depth of 20 m.





The five-meter device is equipped with optical cameras, sensors, sonar, and a built-in navigation system.



The world's first intelligent robotic whale shark can swim at speeds of up to 1.6 miles per hour.

Developers hope the device will be able to monitor water quality, map underwater terrain, and even perform special tasks.

"This is the largest bionic fish. The whale shark has seven movable joints, and complex calculations, reliable communication, and sensor control are needed to control each of them. This is our core technology," said designer Gao Chao of Shenyang Aerospace Xinguang Group.





Fan Xueling, deputy director, added: "When this robot performs a task, it will inevitably encounter various obstacles. How to combine data from multiple sensors is a technical challenge."

"A mass of data must be synchronously viewed and extracted, and then adjusted and verified before the truly important data about the surrounding space can be obtained for our bionic whale shark."



Unlike conventional underwater robots with a propeller drive, the bionic shark prevents water pollution by limiting the release of harmful substances. And its smooth, streamlined body reduces the risk of collision with obstacles.