Amphibious robots and underwater variable structure robots. Courtesy of Shenyang Automation
Shenyang, February 2 (Reporter Wang Jingwei) The Shenyang Institute of Automation of the Chinese Academy of Sciences (hereinafter referred to as the "Shenyang Institute of Automation") released the news on February 2 that in the 2022 Winter Olympic Torch Relay held in Beijing Winter Olympic Park, the two robots led by the Institute achieved the first robot underwater torch relay in the history of the Olympic Games, highlighting the combination of the Olympic Games and science and technology.
In the torch relay, the torchbearer passes the Olympic torch to the amphibious robot, the amphibious robot holds the burning torch, rotates along the curling track and slides into the ice cave mouth; the underwater variable structure robot moves closer to it, and the two robots hold the torch to accurately dock and ignite underwater; the underwater variable structure robot holds the light torch and exits the water from the mouth of the ice cave, passing the Olympic torch to the next torchbearer.
Robots pass torches underwater. Courtesy of Shenyang Automation
Under the support of the ministry of science and technology national key research and development plan "Science and Technology Winter Olympics" key special support, led by the Shenyang Institute of Automation of the Chinese Academy of Sciences, jointly developed underwater torch relay robots in conjunction with the Beijing Institute of Power Machinery and the Guangdong Intelligent Unmanned System Research Institute. The scientific research team has made breakthroughs in key technologies such as highly adaptive motion control of ice water across media, underwater dynamic alignment of complex flow field disturbance, centimeter-level precision operation of underwater robotic arms, and reliable combustion organization across media, and developed the world's first green clean water-air cross-media torch to achieve high-precision docking underwater robots.
"One minute on stage, ten years offstage." In order to adapt to the on-site environment of the event and ensure that the docking is foolproof in an instant, the on-site team entered the Beijing Winter Olympic Park in advance, raced against time, raced against the clock, optimized the robot torch relay task for multiple rounds, and carried out nearly 100 tests in 25 days, further improving the control performance and stability of the robot.
Tian Qiyan, head of the national key research and development plan "Science and Technology Winter Olympics" key special project "multi-robot cross-domain torch relay technology research and system demonstration application" and associate researcher of Shenyang Institute of Automation, said: "Although it is winter, I have been sweating, on the one hand, I feel very nervous, on the other hand, I am also excited, as a research and development personnel from a national scientific research institution, we are very proud and excited to grow up with the project." ”
Group photo of the on-site personnel. Courtesy of Shenyang Automation
"The torch relay is an indispensable part of the Olympic Games, and the Olympic torch relay not only witnesses the development of the Olympic movement, but also witnesses the continuous progress of human science and technology, civilization and wisdom." This event realized the robot underwater torch relay for the first time in the world, ignited people's passion for the Beijing Winter Olympics, and demonstrated China's scientific and technological progress in the field of robotics while transmitting friendship and peace to the world. Li Shuo, deputy director of the Shenyang Automation Institute, said.
In addition, the scientific research team has also developed aerial flying robots, ground robots, ice and snow surface hexapod robots, etc., and has participated in laboratory tests and field tests, and has carried out field tests in Shenyang and Beijing, providing high-quality technical and equipment support for the Beijing Winter Olympic torch relay. (End)