Swab sampling

CHINA has developed an intelligent robot to conduct throat swab sampling for the diagnosis of COVID-19 to reduce cross-infection risks for medical workers, according to its developer.

With an advanced industrial wireless network, the robot can receive real-time instructions and collect throat swabs quickly and gently.

The robot has collected 80 throat swab samples since it was put into operation at the Guangzhou Institute of Respiratory Health on Feb. 28.

Manned submersible

CHINA’S science ship Tansuo-1 loaded with the manned submersible Shenhai Yongshi, or “deep-sea warrior,” set sail yesterday for the first scientific expedition this year.

The ship departed at 9 a.m. from Sanya, southern China’s Hainan Province, on ocean resource exploration, geochemistry research and marine organism collection missions.

It is China’s second deep-sea manned submersible.