China debuts dive robot built to reach 20,000 feet beneath the ocean

China has successfully conducted the maiden trial of its self-developed remotely operated vehicle (ROV) Haiqin, designed for deep-sea exploration at depths up to 6,000 meters (19,685 feet). During the initial sea trial in the South China Sea on August 23, 2025, Haiqin completed multiple dives, reaching a maximum depth of 4,140 meters (13,582 feet). The trial validated the ROV’s stability, navigation, automatic heading control, and precise hovering capabilities, essential for operating in complex deep-sea environments. Prior to the sea trial, Haiqin had passed a 6,000-meter pressure test on land, and according to international standards, passing a 4,000-meter sea trial generally confirms its full-depth operational capability. Weighing 3.6 tons and deployed from the Zhong Shan Da Xue research vessel, Haiqin is equipped with high-definition cameras, robotic arms, sonar, and sensors to support a broad range of scientific