China has tested what it calls the world’s first intelligent squid fishing robot aboard the Song Hang research vessel.
The smart machine mimics human motions to attract squid and can adapt its behaviour based on how the creatures bite. It is designed to provide greater precision than existing automated equipment on squid boats.
The robot was developed by Shanghai Ocean University and China Fisheries Zhoushan Ocean Fishery Co. It is currently in sea trials on the Song Hang, which sailed from Changxing Island near Shanghai on June 8.
The vessel is conducting a 90-day survey of fishery resources in the northwestern Pacific Ocean that is scheduled to continue until September. China is the world’s largest seafood producer and maintains a large distant-water fishing fleet.