(ECNS) -- A home-grown snake-shaped robot is ready to check on submarine oil and gas pipelines this year after a world-class performance in practical tests.
The robot was produced by the No.35 research institute of the Third Academy of the China Aerospace Science and Industry Corporation (CASIC), one of the nation's largest defense contractors.
The robot can crawl through eight-inch pipelines to precisely detect and locate potential problems, such as erosion or leaks both inside and outside the pipelines.
The submarine oil and gas pipeline inspection services in China have long been monopolized by overseas providers, who charge high fees while offering incomplete data, according to experts.
The robot has broken up the technical monopoly and will be put into use on offshore oil lines this year.
Robots compatible for 10-, 12- and 14-inch underwater pipelines are also being researched, it was added.
Song Yubin, director of the industrial development department of the institute, said China will form a comprehensive home-grown oil and gas pipeline inspection service in the 13th Five-Year Plan (2016-2020).
