SZ tech firms empower Piano Land voyage

Astro Ocean Cruise’s Piano Land cruise ship, which departed from the Shekou Cruise Homeport on Saturday, now features a series of high-tech innovations from three Shenzhen firms.

A full-size humanoid robot from the local robotics firm EngineAI walks inside the Piano Land cruise ship. Photos courtesy of Astro Ocean Cruise

On the ship, passengers will have the opportunity to interact with a full-size humanoid robot from Shenzhen EngineAI Robotics Technology Co. Ltd. This is the first time such a robot has embarked on an international cruise.

Passengers can also use 360-degree cameras provided by Insta360 to capture their special moments during their voyage. Additionally, Piano Land is the first cruise in China to feature the large-scale interactive virtual reality (VR) space Vision Walk, developed by XVERSE Technology.

According to Wang Xiaochen, general manager of Shenzhen China Merchants Shekou Cruise Homeport Co. Ltd., Piano Land is the first cruise ship to use Shenzhen as a homeport this year.

Tong Jianfeng, deputy general manager of Astro Ocean Cruise, stated that this innovative collaboration between Piano Land and Shenzhen will inject new momentum into the development of the cruise industry and the integration of culture and tourism in the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area (GBA).

Guests experience virtual reality in the Vision Walk interactive space on the cruise ship.

Measuring 261 meters in length with a total tonnage of 70,000 tons, Piano Land boasts 13 decks and a passenger capacity of 1,800. Its design seamlessly blends British style with East-Asian aesthetics. The ship made its debut in Shenzhen in 2019, marking the commencement of its operations in the GBA.

The Piano Land cruise ship sets sail from Shekou Cruise Homeport.

Piano Land will embark on four voyage routes this year, offering GBA tourists the opportunity to experience the sights of more island nations.