Swiss startup develops wireless communication system for underwater drone

Swiss startup Hydromea showed a prototype of the world’s first underwater drone equipped with a wireless communication system. Company demonstrated work of the robot in a specially created pool. The drone itself is small in size, making it very easy to transport. Interestingly, the drone is equipped with a camera that transmits a video stream in Full HD format at a distance of up to 50 meters. Hydromea has a huge experience in the development of such systems: the company has been developing technologies related to autonomous underwater robotics for several years.

Miracle-fish-wireless-drone

ExRay prototype

The prototype of the drone was named ExRay. Instead of a cable with communications, communication with the robot is maintained using an underwater communication system – LUMA. The device transmits data using short pulses of light.

ExRay has seven thrusters: 4 vertical and 3 horizontal. In addition, the device is equipped with a camera with a zoom lens, and it also has 2 LED headlights.

Here are the full specifications of the robot:

  • 70 cm – length;
  • 7 kg – weight;
  • 50 m – communication range now;
  • 100 m – predicted range of communication with the robot;
  • from 6 to 8 hours – duration of work without charge;
  • 10 Mb / s – data transfer rate.

In its current configuration, the robot is only suitable for use in closed artificial reservoirs. But the team wants to refine this nuance.

The price and date of the start of sales of the device are still unknown. The serial production launch is scheduled for next year.

LUMA to the masses

LUMA optical system

The biggest challenge in solving the problem of creating a wireless underwater robot was the development of data transmission technology. To solve this and other similar problems with underwater signals, the company created optical block LUMA.

Externally, the device is a module in a transparent plastic case. The latter serves as protection against high pressure. The modem converts the data into light pulses of the blue spectrum, with the help of which the drone transmits the necessary information.

According to the developers, the color blue was chosen deliberately. It is able to penetrate further than light radiation with a different wavelength.

The modem continuously transmits signals over a distance of 50 – 100 m at a depth of up to 6 thousand meters. It was this device from Hydromea that formed the basis for the new underwater drone.

Why does a drone need such a connection?

The development of an underwater drone is more difficult than the creation of ground-based or aerial autonomous systems.

What are the options for underwater communication?

  • Radio waves, but their range is not very great.
  • Sound waves are too slow to be sure of their reliability.
  • Wired connection. This is the most common option today. But it also has disadvantages, including a limit on the radius of movement.

There are several areas in which the use of underwater wireless robots is simply necessary to obtain important information:

  • underwater research;
  • the marine energy sector;
  • construction and repair of water bodies.

Already, ExRay developers see several scenarios for using the device in enclosed flooded spaces:

  • in hydroelectric dams;
  • closed waterways;
  • ballast tanks on ships.

It is assumed that in these cases, the use of the new drone will be less expensive, safer and less risky than traditional research methods.

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