Deep below the South China Sea, at a depth of 1,264 meters, a worm-like robot slowly drills into the seabed. It is China's first bionic seabed drilling robot, developed by the Guangzhou Marine Geological Survey.
The 110-kilogram robot uses a special multi-joint body designed like an earthworm. This allows it to turn in any direction underground. It can navigate with an accuracy of less than 0.3 meters and avoids rocks with a 99.5% success rate, re-planning its path in just two seconds.
"It is not just a drill — it is a mobile deep-sea laboratory," said engineer Zhu Yangtao. During the test, the robot collected over 2,000 sets of data on methane and oxygen levels. In the future, it will help explore rare earth minerals and gas hydrates, supporting China's goal of becoming a strong maritime power.