China has tested what it calls the world’s first intelligent squid fishing robot that can mimic the motions performed by humans to attract the deep-water creatures to the surface.
The smart machine is currently undergoing sea trials aboard the Song Hang scientific research vessel, which is expected to conduct a survey in the northwestern Pacific Ocean until September.
The robot – which can adapt its behaviour based on how squid bite – can offer more humanlike precision than the automated equipment currently used on squid boats around the world.
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The Song Hang set sail on June 8 from Changxing Island off the coast of Shanghai for a 90-day scientific survey of fishery resources in the high seas of the northwestern Pacific, according to state-run People’s Daily.
The squid fishing machine – developed by Shanghai Ocean University and the state-owned China Fisheries Zhoushan Ocean Fishery Co – was also launched aboard the ship.
As the world’s largest seafood producer, China operates a vast distant-water fleet of thousands of vessels such as squid boats stationed around the world, including off the South American coast.