Developed by the CAS Shenyang Institute of Automation, the glider moves not by a propeller, but by an oil sac like a fish maw. By changing the size of the sac, the glider can change its net buoyancy so that it can move up and down. A pair of ‘wings’ generates a thrust along the horizontal direction of moving forward, which will enable it to follow a W-shaped trail like a dolphin while moving underwater. During a 91-day voyage, the glider survived hazardous sea conditions triggered by five typhoons in succession, which fully demonstrated its reliability and stability. Advanced underwater gliders will not only assist China’s deep sea scientific research but also serve military purposes such as detecting foreign submarines in China’s waters
CAS news release, October 16, 2017