The bionic whale shark, which is situated at Shanghai Haichang Ocean Park, can swim, turn, float and dive, just like a real shark.
It has been reported that the robotic whale shark 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 shake can operated autonomously or via remote control. Weighing 350kg and measuring at 4.7 metres, the shark can swim at speeds of 0.7 metres per second and dive as deep as 10 metres below the surface.
Special effects company, Edge Innovations has also created an animatronic dolphin. Weighing 595lbs, the robotic cetacean has a battery life of nearly 10 hours, and can survive in a saltwater environment for as long as 10 years.
According to Li Wang from Edge Innovations: “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.”
