At the Digital Achievements Exhibition of the 2025 World Digital Education Conference, Harbin Engineering University’s (HEU) Deep Explorer: Underwater Robotics Virtual Simulation Practice Platform drew significant attention from educators, industry experts, and enterprise leaders. Visiting students and parents remarked, “So cool! This is how underwater operations work! We’ve gained a deeper understanding of HEU’s innovations.”
Motion-Visual Simulation and Human-Machine Interaction Enable Flawless 1,500-Meter Deep-Sea Operations
Developed by the College of Shipbuilding Engineering and its Naval Architecture & Ocean Platform Technology Institute with support from national key R&D projects, the platform integrates cutting-edge underwater robotics expertise and multidisciplinary collaboration. Advanced motion simulation, visual modeling, and interactive technologies create a hyper-realistic virtual workspace. “Students can master robotics motion control, modeling, and operational workflows through immersive training, even simulating operations at 1,500 meters with precision,” explained Professor ZAN Yingfei, a lead researcher.
The platform underpins China’s first offshore engineering digital technology center with CNOOC, aiding deep-water oilfield projects in the South China Sea. It has been deployed for marine engineering installations and hydropower inspections, earning the first international highest-standard certification from the China Classification Society. The system holds patents in China, the U.S., and the Netherlands, and has won top awards including the IFIA Best Invention Award and a Gold Medal at the Geneva International Exhibition of Inventions.
AI-Powered Simulation and “Xinghai” Model Boost Research and Education Synergy
The platform supports HEU’s national first-class course Virtual Simulation Experiments for Offshore Platform Installation, which won a national first prize in the China Virtual Reality Competition. It is now adopted by universities and research institutes for training.
Smart Education Ecosystem: AI-Driven Tools Empower Talent Development
