Robot submarine will be Japan resin battery’s first customer

APB’s approach to making batteries promises to cut mass production costs of lithium ion batteries by 90% and create a battery that is resistant to catching fire when punctured. — The Star

A new kind of resin-based battery developed in Japan moved a step closer to a real-world debut – in a robot submarine.

Kawasaki Heavy Industries Ltd is testing an autonomous underwater vehicle powered by an all-polymer battery made by APB Corp, the battery maker said in a statement on July 20. The Japanese industrial giant plans to commercialise the sub, which measures about 3m (10 feet) in length and weighs 7 tons, for use in subsea pipeline inspection by March 2022.