Researchers at China Aerospace Science and Industry Corp, a State—owned defense contractor, have developed and made the world's first robot whale shark（鲸鲨）.
The robotic shark has been on display in an aquarium（水族馆）at Shanghai Haichang Ocean Park since January.
A whale shark is a slow—moving carpet shark and the largest known living fish.
Designed and built by engineers at the Shenyang—based No 111 Factory, the underwater robot is 4.7 meters long, weighs 350 kilograms and can move 42 meters a minute.
Powered by a lithium battery, it can swim, turn, float and dive like a real shark by moving its mechanical fins（鳍）. The mouth and gills（鳃）can also open and close like a shark's. The biomimetic shark is made of sensors（传感器）, multi-joint fins, batteries, and systems which enable it to avoid what's in the way in all directions.
"The robot can reach a depth of 10 meters and work for as long as 10 hours, "said Fang Xuelin, a senior researcher in charge of the robot shark program.
"The shark can be remotely controlled and can also swim based on preset programs or its own sensors, "he said.
"We have built multiple kinds of robot fishes.…he robotic whale shark is the largest mechanical fish we have made so far, "Fang added. "Our robots are to serve three purposes—to perform in aquariums for entertainment, spread knowledge about the sea and aquatic（水生的）animals among youngsters, and carry out scientific tasks such as hydrological surveys, underwater photography and environmental inspection. "
"The factory now plans to develop more types of aquatic robots, including some extinct mammals（哺乳动物）, for display in parks and schools. It will also promote the products to businesses engaged in fields such as underwater salvage and mineral prospecting, "he said.
