IN waters near Zhangzi Island in Dalian, Northeast China’s Liaoning Province, a yellow underwater robot moves steadily beneath the surface. Equipped with 12 thrusters, binocular cameras and a flexible robotic arm, it identifies sea cucumbers, sea urchins and scallops, then completes a grab within seconds.

The experiment, supported by Dalian Maritime University’s smart ocean information technology innovation platform, demonstrates how laboratory research is being applied to real-world production scenarios.

For marine ranches, such machines could change a longstanding model that relies heavily on divers — a practice constrained by depth, weather and safety risks.

The team of researchers said one vessel equipped with several robots could support round-the-clock operations with fewer workers, reducing both labor intensity and operational risk.

“Pain points in marine production are exactly where new quality productive forces can play a role,” said Yuan Guoliang, a faculty member at the university’s School of Information Science and Technology.

The team is developing underwater optical communication technology, which uses LED light to transmit data and video over short distances — a system researchers describe as a form of “underwater Wi-Fi.”

Such technology could help underwater robots work together more efficiently and reduce their dependence on heavy cables.

The same push toward practical application is also seen in intelligent shipping.

At the university’s shore-based digital operation and control center for intelligent ships, the navigation status, engine data and surrounding sea conditions of China’s Xin Hong Zhuan are displayed in real time. The vessel is the world’s first intelligent ship designed for both research and maritime teaching practice.(SD-Agencies)