The Institute of Marine Robotics Technology is the core construction force of the National Key Laboratory of Autonomous Marine Vehicle Technology. The institute focuses on meeting the major national demands for offshore unmanned equipment systems and marine economic development. Its mission is to support research on Unmanned Underwater Vehicles (UUVs), Unmanned Surface Vehicles (USVs), and Unmanned Marine Vehicle Fleets. It has now become a leading source of technological innovation in the field of marine robotics in China and a high-level talent cultivation hub for multidisciplinary professionals.

In the past five years, the institute has undertaken over a hundred vertical projects funded by the Ministry of Science and Technology, the National Natural Science Foundation of China, the Ministry of Industry and Information Technology, and other agencies. The institute led the development of a deep-sea AUV, which set a world record with a depth of 10,896 meters. Innovative technologies, such as polar AUVs, multi-domain vehicles, hybrid aerial and underwater vehicles, ocean energy-driven vehicles, and unmanned swarm collaborative game strategies, have continued to emerge. In terms of R&D capabilities, the institute has achieved a spectrum of sizes from micro to large-scale, extended operational depth from shallow to full ocean depth/polar regions, transitioned from autonomous to swarm-based operations, and diversified functionalities from exploration to operation.

The institute currently has over 50 faculty and staff members, with more than 200 doctoral and master's students. In the past five years, it has published 13 monographs/textbooks, nearly 300 SCI papers, and obtained over 200 patents. Its research achievements have received more than 20 national and provincial/ministerial-level science and technology awards, significantly contributing to the development of new capabilities in China's marine sectors.