Underwater exploration has never been cheap, but now several companies are providing low-cost aquatic drones that help unlock the secrets of the sea.
According to PCWorld, there are companies specialized in creating affordable and compact underwater robots. For instance, O-Robotix, the maker of Seadrone, modifies aerial drone concepts for use under water.
The 10.5-by-12 inch Seadrone features a gimbal-mounted HD camera that can stream live video directly to a tablet and it is compact enough to carry in your hand. The drone can be controlled via a joystick or the tablet interface.
The Seadrone is designed for industrial customers. So far, the aquatic drone been used by oil and gas company and acquafarmers for inspecting underwater infrastructure. The drone comes with a collection of sensors that can measure voltage, water current, temperature and pressure. A 9-axis inertial measurement unit (IMU), along with an auto depth and heading system make it easier to steer, letting users focusing on other tasks.
O-Robotix makes three models of the Seadrone, depending on the number of thrusters that affects maneuverability and speed. Explorer comes with three thrusters, at a price tag of $2,299. Inspector has five thrusters and comes at a price of $3,299. Developer features six thrusters and costs $3,899.
Another company providing underwater drones is OpenROV. Its v2.8 robot caters more towards enthusiasts and comes at a price of $899. The done can be purchased in the form of a DIY kit.
OpenROV's v2.8 robot doesn't come with all the sensors that the Seadrone has. However, the v2.8 comes with an open source design and it can be modified. The drone can be operated with a joystick, like Seadrone.
OpenROV is also preparing to release in November its next underwater drone, called Trident. It will come ready-assembled and it will cost around $1,500. The Trident will be more maneuverable in tight spaces and faster than its predecessor.
According to Digital Trends, another company, TTRobotics, also introduced GoPro drone submarines in two versions, one for fresh water and one for sea. The latest addition to the Seawolf line introduced by the company last year aims to provide the 360 experience underwater.
