China puts world’s first smart squid fishing robot to the test

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.

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.