A CHILLING 16ft robot shark with cameras and sat-nav designed for ‘special missions’ has been unveiled by China.
The one-of-a-kind bionic fish can do almost anything a real whale shark can do including opening and closing its mouth as well as being able to dive to depths of 65ft.
Its innovative high tech features include optical cameras, sensors, sonar technology and a built-in navigation system.
The world’s first intelligent robotic whale shark is also kitted out with a wireless remote control, programmed swimming and multi-joint bionic propulsion.
This means the fake fish, which is modelled on the gentle marine giants, can swim at speeds as fast as 1.6mph and dive to depths of a massive 65ft, according to CGTN.
Experts in northeastern China who engineered the bionic fish hope it can monitor water quality, map underwater terrain and even carry out special missions.
Although it’s not clear what the special missions could be, it’s feared China could use the shark for military or surveillance purposes.
The Shenyang Aerospace Xinguang Group, based in northeastern China are responsible for the creepy black and white faux shark.
Their designer Gao Chao said: “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.
Fang Xuelin, assistant director of the Underwater Propulsion Technology Research Office added: “When this robot performs underwater or carries out a task, it will inevitably encounter various obstacles on its route.”
Xuelin continued: ” How to fuse information obtained by multiple sensors is actually a technical difficulty.
He then compared the brain of the whale shark robot to a “computer”.
Xuelin explained that the data undergoes a complex process before it’s used by the bionic fish.
“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.”
The robotic whale shark is set to transform marine operations and scientific research.
Unlike mainstream underwater robots which are propeller-driven, the bionic fish is able to put water pollution to a halt by restricting the release of dodgy chemicals.
The sleek, streamlined body lessens the chance of getting trapped among any obstacles.
Shenyang Aerospace Xinguang Group have expanded their portfolio to include bionic goldfish, bionic killer whales, and bionic porpoises.
