China creates a robotic whale shark for underwater missions

China has unveiled the world’s first robotic whale shark.

Yes, you read that right – a robotic whale shark.

When not developing flying cars or 5D cinemas, Chinese techies are apparently working on robotic aquatic life.

It’d give a whole different feel to movies like Jaws or Free Willy, we’ll say that much.

DISCOVER SBX CARS: The global premium car auction platform powered by Supercar Blondie

Why has China created a robot shark?

This is the work of Shenyang Aerospace Xinguang Group, which hopes to open up possibilities for marine exploration.

The 16-foot bionic fish, which has cameras, sensors and sonars, can accurately imitate the movements of a real whale shark.

I suppose the hope is that it would blend in with its surroundings, unlike a human diver or a submarine.

The 350kg robot can successfully mimic a whale shark in its swimming, floating, diving and movements of move, according to Interesting Engineering.

It can monitor water quality, map the underwater terrain and carry out specialized missions.

Fang Xuelin, assistant director of the Underwater Propulsion Technology Research Office, said: “When this robot performs underwater or carries out a task, it will inevitably encounter various obstacles on its route.

“How to fuse information obtained by multiple sensors is actually a technical difficulty. It can be understood that the brain of a whale shark is a computer.”

Thanks to a bionic propulsion and wireless remote control, the shark can reach speeds of 0.7 meters per second and reach depths of 20 meters.

How does this compare to other robotic fish?

Believe it or not, there is actually quite a wide array of robotic fish already carrying out marine exploration.

Shenyang Aerospace has already created bionic goldfish, killer whales, and porpoises.

What sets this whale shark apart from the rest?

For a start, its design is better for the environment as its limited release of contaminants cuts back on water pollution.