Underwater robot competition raises tech limits

Dalian University of Technology is working closely with Pengcheng Laboratory on artificial intelligence and image processing, underwater robot bodies and underwater observation systems.

The two are also working with Jinpu New Area in Dalian to build an evaluation and test base for marine intelligent equipment in a bid to boost its research and development.

"We're focusing more on the influence of the contest as well as the transformation and application of its results," said Li Pengyu, deputy Party chief of Dalian and director of the administrative committee in the Dalian Jinpu New Area, the first State-level new area in Northeast China.

According to Li, Jinpu will build a platform to promote key projects in the sector.

"Some technologies and achievements of underwater robots are ready for industrial incubation," said Yuan Chi, head of the coastal city's science and technology bureau.

The base in Jinpu will play an important role in the evaluation of hardware and software of underwater vehicles and their industrial implementation, said Yuan.

"We hope to cultivate an underwater counterpart of civilian drone maker DJI Technology," he said.

Lu Yi contributed to this story.