Drones and robots that can cross snowfields will be used on China's 31st expedition to the South Pole, which set off from Shanghai yesterday.

Robots on polar mission

The drones and robots aboard the Xuelong — Snow Dragon — icebreaker will be utilized in icecap studies and surveying the site of an airfield to be built near China's Zhongshan Station, polar research officials said.

They will be used to conduct studies in difficult terrain, said officials.

On the 163-day expedition, the 281-strong team will conduct research into fields such as the ice core, meteorology and ocean studies.

"With the development of China's research in the Antarctic, we are starting to plan an airfield for large aircraft," said Qu Tanzhou, director of the State Oceanic Administration's Chinese Arctic and Antarctic Administration.

"Aircraft will improve team transport and provide emergency support between stations," added Qu.

China's Antarctic stations are Changcheng, Zhongshan, Kunlun and Taishan.

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