China advances deep-sea exploration with manta ray-inspired autonomous submersible

Chinese scientists have achieved a breakthrough in deep-sea exploration with the successful trial of a biomimetic submersible modelled on the manta ray. This is reported by China Daily, a partner of TV BRICS.

Distinctive features of the new model include fully flexible, undulating fins that mimic the wave-like locomotion of marine species, dramatically improving hydrodynamics, propulsion efficiency, and directional control. Complementing this are advanced internal systems for adaptive control of altitude, depth, and orientation, enabling precise autonomous navigation in complex underwater environments.

A key innovation is the submersible’s integrated “belly pod”, housing robotic arms and deployable miniature drone submarines. These compact units explored hydrothermal vent zones during the March trial, accessing areas inaccessible to the main vehicle.

Further enhancing the design is an adaptive fishtail mechanism capable of adjusting its angle and extension to broaden observational coverage while maintaining minimal disturbance to delicate marine ecosystems.

According to the source, this biologically inspired approach significantly reduces underwater noise and environmental impact, a major improvement over traditional propeller-driven designs.

The research aligns with China’s national marine development strategy, which has seen the country’s marine economy surpass approximately US$1.4 trillion for the first time in 2024, as reported by the Ministry of Natural Resources.

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