The underwater glider developed by SIA accomplished experimental application in regions near the Dongsha Islands, the South China Sea.  (Image/SIA)

The underwater glider developed by Shenyang Institute of Automation (SIA), Chinese Academy of Sciences (CAS), has successfully accomplished experimental application in regions near the Dongsha Islands, the South China Sea recently, verifying the stability and reliability of the underwater glider system, accumulating operation experience under complex ocean current environment and laying solid foundation for its promotion and application in the future.

As a new type of underwater robot, the underwater glider provides an ideal and effective ocean environment observation platform. It combines floating, mooring and underwater robotics technology. Driven by buoyancy force, its operation range can reach several hundred to several thousand kilometers, and can work for several months continuously.

In the experiment, the underwater glider conquered strong current and finished observation tasks of several operation cycles. Indicators and function of the system were normal, demonstrating sound controllability and good flow resistance ability. After the experiment, the underwater glider sent information of its recovery position to “Shiyan-1” scientific research ship through satellite, and was reclaimed by the vessel without the assistance of work boats.