VVLAI: 3500m Deep Sea Robot Achieves 98% Domestically
A groundbreaking underwater observation and operational robot, fully hydraulic and multi-functional, has successfully passed testing. Designed to operate at depths of up to 3,500 meters, the robot can perform underwater searches, explosive disposal, offshore engineering tasks, and pipeline inspections. This cutting-edge device was developed independently by Shandong Future Robotics Co., Ltd. in just one year, achieving a remarkable 98% domestically sourced component rate.
“We can even say it’s 100% domestically produced, except for a few customer-specified parts. This is the first deepwater robotic system developed by a private company in China in this field,” said Tao Zewen, Chairman of Shandong Future Robotics. “We overcame numerous bottleneck challenges imposed by foreign technology restrictions to achieve this milestone.”
Reflecting on the past year of development, Tao remarked, “It was unbelievably difficult! Foreign companies have decades of experience, and we set out to match that in just one year. Faced with critical foreign technology blockades, we had to carve out a path from scratch.”
With no existing domestic experience to rely on, the company leveraged its own strengths to forge a unique approach. By deconstructing the main components—basic parts, hydraulic systems, actuators, auxiliary equipment—the team dissected foreign models, broke them into their key elements, and formed 22 specialized project teams spanning software, hardware, hydraulics, high-voltage power, and more. Each team focused on independently developing specific components step by step.
According to Du Yang, Head of R&D at Shandong Future Robotics, the robot’s core technological breakthroughs include high-pressure endurance at depths exceeding 3,000 meters, long-distance power transmission, and underwater communication. After relentless effort, the team successfully addressed challenges such as deepwater fiber optic pressure resistance, hydraulic pressure compensation, and high-voltage power systems for long-distance operations.
“When foreign suppliers imposed embargoes on key technologies, we accelerated our independent research and development efforts,” Du noted. “We successfully achieved domestic production of deepwater power stations, propulsion systems, mechanical arms, lighting systems, and high-voltage systems.”
This pioneering achievement positions Shandong Future Robotics as a leader in China’s underwater robotics sector, demonstrating the country’s capacity to innovate and tackle technological challenges independently.
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