China unveils world’s first robot for commercial underwater transportation

China Railway Rolling Stock Corporation (CRRC) has unveiled a new remotely controlled vehicle for underwater transportation (ROV). The robot is the first device of this kind designed for commercial use.

Like other remotely controlled underwater vehicles, the presented model will be used for research purposes, rescue operations, inspection work, recovery of objects from the sea-bed, etc.

However, according to representatives of CRRC, the new robot "outperforms the existing analogues" - the engine built into the device has a capacity of 250 horsepower, which is "equivalent to a BMW X6 car. Carrying capacity of the machine with a weight of 5 tons is 4 tons. The new device can operate at a depth of up to 3 thousand meters in real time in the visibility conditions of 1 - 3 meter.

The machine also has built-in echolocation technology, which allows the device to determine the location of various objects under water. The robot is able to lift from the sea-bottom an object the size of a needle.

The machine is expected to be launched in mass production, TASS.www.tass.ru reports.

 tass.ru