Shanghai Haichang Ocean Park has unveiled the world’s first robotic whale shark, which could potentially replace live cetaceans in captivity in aquariums and theme parks across China.
Developed by Shenyang Astronautics Xinguang Group Co Ltd, the robotic whale shark can swim, turn, float and dive like a real shark. It can operate autonomously or via remote control.
The 4.7-metre-long bionic whale shark weighs 350kg. It can swim at speeds of 0.7 metres per second and dive as deep as 10 metres below the surface (via The Paper).
Special effects company Edge Innovations has also created an animatronic dolphin. The robotic cetacean weighs 595 pounds, has a battery life of around 10 hours, and can survive in a saltwater environment for about 10 years.
4.7-metre-long bionic whale shark
Designed to simulate the movements and appearance of an adolescent bottlenose dolphin, it boasts a realistic skeletal and muscle structure, as well as accurate weight distribution.
“In terms of a 10-year business operating period and a two million annual visitor capacity, the overall investment and maintenance costs for a decent animatronics entertainment portfolio only accounts for about one quarter or no more than one-third of what a traditional aquarium spends,” Edge Innovation’s Li Wang told the South China Morning Post.
Marineland, a theme park in Canada’s Niagara Falls, was recently charged under the Criminal Code for allegedly using dolphins and whales for entertainment purposes without authorisation.
