Deep-Sea Mineral Survey Robot Swarm OceanBot Completes Pacific Trial: 30 Days of Autonomous Survey at 6,000 Meters

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The Chinese Academy of Sciences' Institute of Deep-Sea Science and Engineering and SANY Ocean jointly announced in November 2028 that their OceanBot deep-sea mineral survey robot swarm completed its first commercial-grade trial — three OceanBot units operated autonomously at 6,000 meters depth in the Pacific Clarion-Clipperton Zone for 30 days, mapping mineral resources across 200 square kilometers.

OceanBot resembles a large manta ray, measuring 3.2 meters long with a 2.6-meter wingspan. Its titanium alloy pressure hull withstands 600 atmospheres. The propulsion system uses high-energy-density lithium-sulfur batteries supporting 30 days of continuous operation. Navigation fuses inertial navigation, acoustic positioning, and terrain matching for precise localization in GPS-free deep waters.

Survey payloads include multibeam sonar (seabed topography mapping), laser-induced breakdown spectroscopy LIBS (in-situ mineral composition analysis), and X-ray fluorescence analysis (quantitative metal content determination). All data transmits to the mother ship via acoustic communication, generating real-time 3D mineral resource maps.

"OceanBot transforms deep-sea exploration from blind groping to precision guidance," said Li Xinzheng, Director of CAS's Deep-Sea Institute. "Previously we dragged nets across the seabed to collect samples for onboard analysis. Now OceanBot completes all analysis directly on the seafloor."

During the 30-day trial, OceanBot identified three high-grade polymetallic nodule deposits, with grade assessment accuracy 60% higher than traditional trawl sampling. China Minmetals Corporation and Canada's DeepGreen have each ordered five units for commercial exploration in 2029.

However, deep-sea mining faces intense environmental controversy. Environmental organizations including the Deep Sea Conservation Coalition note that deep-sea ecosystems are extremely fragile and mining operations could cause irreversible damage to benthic communities. The International Seabed Authority (ISA) is developing environmental protection standards requiring comprehensive environmental impact assessments before commercial extraction. China, as an ISA Council member, has committed to complying with upcoming standards.