China plans undersea ‘robot colony’ base for unmanned submarine drones in South China Sea
The state-of the-art submarine centre would become the first artificial intelligence colony on Earth, says scientists involved in the bizarre plan.
CHINA is to build a deep sea colony for 'robots' to run science and defence operations in the depths of the South China Sea.
The state-of the-art submarine centre would become the first artificial intelligence colony on Earth, says scientists involved in the bizarre plan.
The shock move follows a visit to a deep sea research institute at Sanya, Hainan province by Chinese President Xi Jinping earlier this year.
During April's visit, he urged scientists and engineers to break new grounds in underwater research, reports
“There is no road in the deep sea, we do not need to chase (after other countries), we are the road,” he told the academics.
The idea of Atlantis-style deep sea living has fascinated scientists and science fiction writers for decades.
Those behind the scheme have set their sights on the Hadal Zone - a V-shape abyss - which can be found at depths of up to 11,000 metres.
The ambitious project will cost Chinese taxpayers 1.1 billion yuan (£120m), revealed the project leaders comparing the plan to space travel.
“It is as challenging as building a colony on another planet for robotic residents with artificial intelligence,” said one of the scientists.
“The technology can change the world.”
Robot submarines will be sent to survey seabeds, record life forms while cataloguing and collect all simple mineral samples.
As a self-contained laboratory, the under-sea station will analyse all the samples before sending full reports to the surface.
Dr Du Qinghai, of Shanghai Ocean University, said it will need to be incredible strong to handle enormous water pressure.
“It can be more difficult than building a space station. No other country has done this before,” said Du.
He added much of the massive budget would be used to research and develop the base's technology and materials.
About 99 per cent of the ocean floor remains unexplored, according to the US National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration.
One possible location is the Manila Trench, according to Yan, who has spent decades studying the South China Sea’s floors.
“It is the only place in the South China Sea with a depth exceeding 5,000 metres,” he revealed.
The Manila Trench is where the southeastern part of Eurasian plate meets the Pacific plate.