China has launched a domestically developed 4,500-metre-class deep-sea robotic vehicle to support scientific exploration in the South China Sea, marking a step forward in the development of advanced marine equipment.

The robot set sail from Weihai Port in east China's Shandong Province for a joint expedition with the Weihai branch of the Harbin Institute of Technology. The mission will test the equipment's full-system performance under real-world conditions and help accelerate its transition from laboratory research to industrial applications.

Equipped with a self-developed seven-axis multifunction hydraulic manipulator, the robot can undertake tasks including deep-sea oil and gas development, underwater pipeline inspection, mineral resource exploration, scientific sampling and emergency salvage.

More than 30 key technologies were addressed during its development, covering deep-sea pressure sealing, high-power propulsion, underwater communications and autonomous navigation. Its core hardware and software are fully domestically controlled, supporting further development of China's deep-sea equipment capabilities.