The government will develop a robot capable of exploring the depths of the ocean as well as a host of complex functions.

The Land, Transport and Maritime Affairs Ministry says the 20-billion-won project is expected to be completed by 2015.

The ministry will select the institute in charge of the research and development for the project by next month.

Nine billion won will first go into developing a robot that can perform for an extended period in waters as deep as 200 meters by 2012 for use in the field from 2013.

A deep-sea robot that can go down as far as six-thousand meters will be developed by 2015.