Recently, ATOMROBOT completed the customized development of its first underwater delta robot. The equipment has been delivered to the client and has officially entered the field-testing phase. This specific model is designed for high-precision operations in environments at depths of 30 meters, with its initial phase focused on subsea mineral collection scenarios.

This marks the first cross-industry leap for Atomrobot’s parallel technology, moving from industrial production lines to underwater operations. Due to their high stiffness, high precision, high load-to-weight ratio, and fast dynamic response, parallel structures offer unique advantages in environments with water flow disturbances. This delivery signifies a major step forward for Atomrobot in expanding parallel technology across multiple applications.
 

Technical Architecture: Three Major Underwater Challenges
 

Unlike traditional serial-link underwater robots, Atomrobot’s newly delivered model utilizes a parallel mechanism design. The product was developed to address three core underwater challenges:

Sealing and Pressure Resistance: The motor and reducer feature an integrated design. Combined with watertight connectors and cables, the overall sealing scheme can withstand pressures at depths of 100 meters, providing a significant safety margin over the 30-meter operational requirement.

Corrosion Resistance: To combat highly corrosive seawater, the driving and driven arms are constructed from 316 stainless steel. The static and moving platforms undergo micro-arc oxidation surface treatment, and the joint bearings utilize corrosion-resistant, self-lubricating materials to extend the equipment’s lifespan in marine environments.

Motion Control: The control algorithms integrate various advanced logics to achieve posture balance and precise tracking. This ensures stable point-to-point gripping tasks even under water flow disturbances. The software architecture is based on a real-time operating system with a modular design, facilitating future functional upgrades and system maintenance.

Core Parameters: ±0.05mm Precision at 100-Meter Depth
 

According to Atomrobot’s R&D team, the key performance specifications of the underwater delta robot are as follows:

Maximum Operating Depth: 100 meters

Payload Capacity: 3 kg

Repeatability: ±0.05 mm

The ability to maintain a ±0.05 mm repeatability at depths of up to 100 meters is the product’s primary technical highlight. This high-precision capability makes it ideal for underwater sampling and delicate operations where positional accuracy is critical.

Regarding operation, the robot is equipped with a remote-control interface featuring data visualization, task planning, and playback functions, aimed at lowering the learning curve and operational difficulty for personnel.

Application Scenarios: Initial Focus on Subsea Mineral Collection
 

Atomrobot stated that the product will initially focus on the niche market of subsea mineral sampling.

In the field of marine mineral exploration, deep-sea mining holds vast potential, but the early exploration phases require point-to-point sampling of surface minerals. Traditional human diving is limited by depth and involves high safety risks, while conventional underwater robots often face limitations in high-payload, high-precision operations. With the high stiffness and precision of its parallel structure, Atomrobot’s underwater robot can complete precise mineral sample grabbing and collection within a 100-meter range.

As a national-level “Little Giant” enterprise (specialized, refined, differential, and innovative) in the field of delta robotics, Atomrobot was founded in 2013, focusing on the R&D and industrialization of delta robots and searching for intelligent manufacturing solutions. This delivery represents a new exploration into cross-scenario applications of their core technology.

The product is developed on a made-to-order basis, primarily targeting marine research institutes and offshore engineering companies with specific high-precision underwater operational needs.