A Shenyang-based company which produced the world's first intelligent robotic whale shark has been dedicated to integrating space technology into the intelligent equipment industry and promoting the modern marine sector.
Developed by Shenyang Aerospace Xinguang Group under the Third Academy of China Aerospace Science and Industry Corporation Limited, the bionic whale shark is nearly five meters long and weighs 350 kilograms. It can swim, turn, float, dive, and open and close mouth in the water like a real shark.
"This is the largest bionic fish we have studied so far. The whale shark has seven actuated joints, and each joint requires computing, communication, and sensing, which is also our key technology," said Gao Chao, designer of Shenyang Aerospace Xinguang Group's Underwater Propulsion Technology Research Office.
This bionic whale shark has technologies such as wireless remote control, program-controlled swimming, and multi-joint bionic propulsion. It can swim at a maximum speed of 0.7 meters per second, and dive 20 meters deep.
Equipped with optical cameras, different sensors, sonar and BeiDou positioning systems, it can be used to monitor water quality, survey underwater terrain, and serve other special purposes.
"For example, when this robot performs underwater, or carries out a task, it will inevitably encounter various obstacles on its route. How to fuse information obtained by multiple sensors is actually a technical difficulty. It can be understood that the brain of a whale shark is a computer. A mass of data must be screened and extracted synchronously, and then mutually corrected and verified before the truly effective data can be quickly extracted for our bionic whale shark to identify the surrounding environment," said Fang Xuelin, assistant director of the Underwater Propulsion Technology Research Office.
Compared to traditional propeller-propelled underwater robots, bionic whale sharks are superior in terms of environmental protection, efficiency, and mobility. With battery and driving gear installed in a closed body, it will not pollute the water and not be easily entangled by obstacles such as aquatic plants and will not cause harm to real fish.
Up to now, the company has developed various models of bionic products such as Yangtze finless porpoises, killer whales and dolphins and will continue to promote integration of marine bionic technology and intelligent systems.
Underwater robots are an important carrier for human beings to understand, explore, develop and utilize the ocean, and are also the core force to promote the rapid development of the modern marine industry. With the development of materials science, control science and artificial intelligence, underwater bionic robots will play a greater role as a new type of marine equipment.
World's first intelligent robotic whale shark developer explores modern marine sector
Multiple Chinese chambers of commerce on Saturday voiced their firm opposition to the unilateral imposition of "reciprocal tariffs" by the United States.
They also expressed strong support for the Chinese government in taking all necessary countermeasures, according to statements from the chambers of commerce for import and export in various sectors, including those related to textiles, foodstuffs, machinery and electronics, light industrial goods, medicines and health products, as well as metals, minerals and chemicals.
Following the U.S. move to slap "reciprocal tariffs" on all its trading partners, China announced that it will impose an additional 34-percent tariff on all products imported from the United States starting from April 10.
Other measures against U.S. tariffs included the implementation of rare earth export controls starting April 4, the addition of 11 U.S. companies to the unreliable entity list, 16 U.S. companies being placed on the export control list, and the suspension of six U.S. firms from exporting food and agricultural products to China.
In its statement, the China Chamber of Commerce for Import and Export of Textiles called on the United States to listen to the voices of the global industry and consumers, correct its harmful and self-destructive actions as soon as possible, and return to the right course.
The China Chamber of Commerce of Import and Export of Foodstuffs, Native Produce and Animal By-Products firmly opposed the U.S. trade protectionism and called on enterprises to unite, strengthen cooperation, and jointly explore domestic and international markets.
The China Chamber of Commerce for Import and Export of Machinery and Electronic Products condemned the U.S. unilateral trade protectionism, noting the move not only seriously violates international trade rules, but also seriously disrupts the global economic and trade order. It urged its members and non-members to to remain united in adhering to an open, win-win internationalization strategy. It emphasized the importance of actively adjusting foreign trade strategies, exploring diversified markets, and accelerating the transformation and upgrading of foreign trade.
The China Chamber of Commerce for Import and Export of Light Industrial Products and Arts-Crafts stated that U.S. actions seriously violate WTO rules and will have a significant negative impact on global economic development and supply chain stability. It also appealed to the global industry, industry enterprises from various countries, and upstream and downstream partners to join forces in opposing the U.S. trade bullying practices.
The China Chamber of Commerce of Metals, Minerals and Chemicals Importers and Exporters urged the U.S. government to immediately revoke its unilateral tariff measures.
Highlighting that the health rights of people worldwide should not be undermined by unfair trade measures, the China Chamber of Commerce for Import and Export of Medicines and Health Products strongly opposed the unilateral trade bullying actions taken by the United States.
Multiple Chinese chambers of commerce resolutely oppose US "reciprocal tariffs"
