We have all seen (or heard) at least one buzzing over our heads, and more and more of us have bought it: we are talking about drones, whose market has been continuously expanding since 2015.
Lately we’ve been hearing about the submersible and waterproof relatives of drones, the Unmanned Underwater Vehicles. That is, in Italian, unmanned submarine vehicles, much better known as underwater drones.
Let’s find out what underwater drones are and what they are for, let’s see what categories they are divided into and let’s consider some models.
Underwater drones, as we have already said, are submersible and waterproof drones that allow you to remotely explore marine environments. An underwater drone is a valid help from a professional perspective, but it can also be used at an amateur level, for example by divers or anyone who wants to take suggestive shots of the seabed.
The first underwater drone prototypes were built around 1950, in the middle of the Cold War, by the US Navy.
For decades they have been used primarily as underwater minesweepers. Then, in 1973, the use of the CRUV-III drone saved the lives of the two pilots of the Pisces III, engaged in laying telephone cables on the seabed. That episode suddenly sparked interest in underwater drones, which began to be developed for scientific studies of the seabed as well.
Ma the world limelight of underwater drones dates back to 1 September 1985, with the discovery of the Titanic by a top secret mission that was actually supposed to recover two American nuclear submarines, the Thresher and the Scorpion.
Since 1990, underwater drone technology has constantly evolved. Until you get to 2001, with the turning point given by the introduction of lithium polymer batteries. In one fell swoop there was a decrease in weight and volume, therefore an improvement in performance.
Like their aerial relatives, underwater drones are also divided into categories and sub-categories, each of which is distinguished by its acronym.
To simplify, we can say that the Unmanned Underwater Vehicles are divided into two main sub-categories: the Remotely Operated Underwater Vehicle (ROV), moved by a remote control in the hands of an operator above the water surface, and Autonomous Underwater Vehicles (AUVs), capable of moving autonomously underwater thanks to a previously programmed artificial intelligence.
Some add a third category, that represented by the Diver Propulsion Device (DPV), also called Underwater Propulsion Vehicle (UPV), or underwater scooters.
ROVs, we said, are radio-controlled underwater drones.
They usually consist of three elements: the vehicle, the tether (or umbilical cable, which transmits the signals) and the command station. Some large models also have a launch and retrieval system.
ROVs are in turn divided into five classes. Let’s see them quickly.
Then there are the Autonomous Underwater Vehicles, able to move autonomously under water. They range in size from a few tens to several hundred kilos. They can be equipped with a huge number of sensors.
I am able to work continuously even for several days. They communicate their position through GNSS navigation modules, although the signal can only be acquired when the drone is on the surface.
The main uses of AUVs are ocean research at great depths, mapping of the seabed, recording underwater environmental information, identifying hazards for navigation, exploration and discovery of geological formations. In addition to the documentation of shipwrecks or aircraft crashes and anti-submarine military operations.
Of the many underwater drones of the ROV category on the market, we point out three, of different price ranges.
It can be found for around 700 euros, e in addition to the low price it is also among the smallest and most manageable in circulation, with its 1.1 kilos. It is equipped with an umbilical cable of 15 meters, a Full HD camera and a GPS system, and has an autonomy of about an hour.
Here the price rises to around 1,000 euros but the performance also goes up: the umbilical cable is 70 meters long, the autonomy is 4 hours and can reach up to 30 meters deep. The camera records video up to 4K (3840x2160px) at 25fps, offers live streaming in Full HD at 30fps and photos at a maximum resolution of 12 MegaPixel (3000x4000px).
At the price of about 3,000 you buy this underwater drone moved by 4 thrusters, with 2 additional ones for horizontal movement only. It travels at a speed of 13 knots and can go up to 150 meters deep. The camera ensures performance similar to that of the Power Ray.
Among the included accessories there is also a small robotic arm for taking small samples. It can be equipped with a sonar.
In view of the sixth F1 round of the season which will stop in the…
Different motivations but same objectives, score points. So let's find out where to watch Salernitana-AtalantaTelevision…
Let's discover QuiGioco together, a new platform in the great universe of online casinos and…
Amazon Prime Video releases for May 2024: here are the films, shows and TV series…
In this new episode of Anime Breakfast, this time a review, let's find out together…
Ferrari has finally revealed on its social channels the new look of the SF-24 that…