!:6 model of the first manned underwater robot
World's first manned underwater robot, which will enable scientists to explore the most remote areas 7000 meters under the sea, will receive test this year, said Sun Zhihui, director of China's State Oceanic Administration.
Sun said, the underwater robot can carry 3 people at one time and dive as deep as 7000 meters below sea level, 500 meters more than what the world's most advanced underwater robot can do currently. Assembly of the robot finished in 2008.
"Tests deep down in the water will be complicated. Therefore, we will carry out the tests step by step, from 2,000 meters to 3,000 meters, and so on," explained Sun.
Underwater robots play significant role in deep-sea exploration and polar expedition. They were used for experiments and practice under ice in high latitude areas during China's third Arctic expedition in 2008. Large amount of first-hand science data on sea ice thickness and subglacial topography was collected thanks to underwater robots.
