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Workers of Zoneco Group Co Ltd sort and pack sea cucumbers in Dalian, Liaoning province. NANGONG AOQING / FOR CHINA DAILY
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A leading Chinese fishery company and the Dalian University of
Technology have established a laboratory to develop underwater robots,
which are expected to take the place of divers to catch precious
seafood.
The robots will also likely perform seabed monitoring tasks at fishing grounds in Dalian, Liaoning province.
"We're dedicated to developing robots that can work as flexibly and
efficiently as experienced divers in the complicated circumstances under
the sea," said Wu Hougang, president of Zoneco Group Co Ltd, which is
listed on the Shenzhen bourse.
The company employs dozens of divers to pick up precious seafood such
as trepang (a type of rare sea cucumber), sea urchins and abalone from
the sea floor about 20 to 30 meters from the surface. They work about
three to four hours per day.
"The robots will help reduce risks and costs," said Wu.
According to the agreement between the two parties, the lab will
carry out innovation of underwater robots focusing on tasks such as
environmental perception, underwater observation and ecological
monitoring.
The company and the university will also work together to solve
technological problems, develop products, and promote the application of
technological results.
The lab is expected to be a model for the integration of technology
with finance, as well as the collaborative research and development
between research institutions and big companies.
Zoneco will provide 300,000 yuan ($43,480) annually to the lab.
The National Natural Science Foundation of China will support the
construction of the lab, said Deng Fang, a project director with the
foundation.
"Currently, industrial robots and aerial robots are enjoying rapid
development in China while the research and development of underwater
robots is relatively slow," said Deng.
Some other universities and research institutes, including Peking
University, Harbin Engineering University and Beijing-based Beihang
University, will provide technical support to the lab.
Guo Dongming, president of the Dalian University of Technology, said
the cooperation will promote industrial upgrading through new
technology, make progress in the areas of underwater robots and maritime
information, and help boost the maritime economy in China.