An Australian company by the name of Advanced Navigation has devised a diminutive autonomous underwater vehicle that is designed to be exceptionally easy to deploy, store and transport due to its dimensions and low weight.
The 'Hydrus' autonomous underwater vehicle weighs in at only 14.8 pounds and measures 18.5 x 10.2 x 10.2 inches. Despite its compact stature, the 'Hydrus' is capable of achieving a top speed of 7 km/h, dive to depths of up to 3 km and travel distances of up to 9 km, with a single charge of its battery capable of providing approximately three hours of operation.
This autonomous underwater vehicle is capable of accessing GPS satellites and using underwater acoustic transduction to share its route, not to mention take 4K video with the help of two quadrants of LED lights.
Priced at around $50,000 the 'Hydrus' could be utilized for scientific, industrial and environmental applications in the sea.
Compact Autonomous Underwater Vehicles
The 'Hydrus' Can Capture 4K Video & Access GPS Signals
Trend Themes
1. Compact Autonomous Underwater Vehicles - The development of more compact and lightweight autonomous underwater vehicles with advanced features, such as GPS access and 4K video capabilities, presents opportunities for increased efficiency and cost-effectiveness in underwater exploration and data collection.
2. Underwater Acoustic Transduction Technology - Advancements in underwater acoustic transduction technology have the potential to significantly improve communication and data transmission in underwater settings, unlocking new possibilities for scientific, industrial, and environmental applications.
3. Remote Underwater Data Collection - The increasing capabilities of autonomous underwater vehicles, coupled with advancements in remote data collection and analysis, present opportunities for more efficient and comprehensive underwater research and monitoring.
Industry Implications
1. Scientific Research - The compact and advanced features of the 'Hydrus' autonomous underwater vehicle make it a promising tool for scientific research and data collection in underwater environments.
2. Industrial Inspection - The ability of autonomous underwater vehicles to easily deploy and access GPS data and 4K video can improve the efficiency and accuracy of industrial inspections in underwater settings.
3. Environmental Monitoring - Autonomous underwater vehicles with advanced features, such as the 'Hydrus', can provide new opportunities for monitoring and protecting marine environments.