Marine

The smartphone controlled Aquabotix Hydroview underwater vehicle

The smartphone controlled Aquabotix Hydroview underwater vehicle
Aquabotix has rolled out a new underwater viewing system in the form of the iOS- and Android-controlled Hydroview remotely operated underwater vehicle.
Aquabotix has rolled out a new underwater viewing system in the form of the iOS- and Android-controlled Hydroview remotely operated underwater vehicle.
View 4 Images
Aquabotix has rolled out a new underwater viewing system in the form of the iOS- and Android-controlled Hydroview remotely operated underwater vehicle.
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Aquabotix has rolled out a new underwater viewing system in the form of the iOS- and Android-controlled Hydroview remotely operated underwater vehicle.
Aquabotix Hydroview is operated via onscreen interface accessible on a smartphone, tablet or laptop connected to the base station
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Aquabotix Hydroview is operated via onscreen interface accessible on a smartphone, tablet or laptop connected to the base station
Aquabotix Hydroview is operated via onscreen interface accessible on a smartphone, tablet or laptop connected to the base station
3/4
Aquabotix Hydroview is operated via onscreen interface accessible on a smartphone, tablet or laptop connected to the base station
Aquabotix Hydroview is quite lightweight weighing in at 8lbs (3.6 kg), with additional 1.5lbs per each 50 feet of cable
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Aquabotix Hydroview is quite lightweight weighing in at 8lbs (3.6 kg), with additional 1.5lbs per each 50 feet of cable
View gallery - 4 images

Smartphones can already be used to remotely control a variety of vehicles, including flying toy helicopters and airplanes, or even starting your car. Now remotely operated underwater vehicles (ROVs) can be added to the list with New England-based company Aquabotix rolling out its Hydroview vehicle. Equipped with LED lights and a HD video camera, the vehicle transmits a live video feed to an iOS- or Android-based smartphone, tablet, or a laptop and can be remotely operated by tilting the phone or tablet or via the laptop's touchpad.

There are plenty of potential applications for an ROV, including getting an up close and personal look at the marine life, searching the murky depths for sunken treasure, or - for boat owners - underwater boat inspection. Given its claimed maximum operating depth of 75 - 150 feet (22 - 45 m) depending on the model, the Aquabotix Hydroview should cope with all these tasks even better than the likes of Neptune SB-1, which doesn't go deeper than 16 ft (5m), or the DIY ROVs suitable for dives of 10 - 33 feet (3 - 10 m).

The Aquabotix Hydroview connects via a cable to an above surface base station, which in turn connects with the control device via Wi-Fi. Controlling the vehicle is possible by using the video feed-based onscreen interface, as well as by using an accelerometer-equipped smartphone or tablet like a steering wheel. As well as capturing HD video, you can also snap still images and automatically upload them to social media sites and the unit is quite lightweight weighing in at 8 lbs (3.6 kg), with additional 1.5 lbs (0.7 kg) per each 50 feet of cable.

Aquabotix Hydroview is operated via onscreen interface accessible on a smartphone, tablet or laptop connected to the base station
Aquabotix Hydroview is operated via onscreen interface accessible on a smartphone, tablet or laptop connected to the base station

There are two versions of HydroView currently displayed on the Aquabotix website: the HydroView Sport and HydroView Pro. The former can reach speeds of up to 3 kts and travel to depths of 75 ft with a battery providing up to two hours of running time, while the Pro ups the maximum speed to 5 kts, increases the maximum diving depth to 150 ft (45m) and offers three hours of battery life. Also, the Pro version is equipped with 150 feet of cable, while the Sport comes with only 50 feet - though longer sets (up to 300 ft - 91 m) are optional. The charging time is eight hours for the Pro and 16 hours for the Sport model.

The Aquabotix Hydroview Sport is currently listed online priced at US$2,995, with free delivery for U.S. customers. We've been informed by Aquabotix that the Hydroview Sport will be back in stock somewhere by the end of December. There are no details regarding availability of the Pro version just yet.

Source: Aquabotix Hydroview via The Verge

View gallery - 4 images
6 comments
6 comments
Carlos Grados
The more we can see down there the more we as a society will care about our waters. Under $1000 and watch schools ordering them for their classes!
Renārs Grebežs
Looks cool, but being wired is a letdown. :/
Slowburn
re; Renārs Grebežs
Radio signals don\'t travel well through water. Just look at what a few inches of of snow on your satellite dish does to your reception.
tampa florida
I\'m waiting for a remote controlled shark with video controlled from my droid phone so I can scare people at the beach and have a good laugh
Blixdevil
For being tethered, that is a ridiculous price. Why would it be battery-powered if it needs to be tethered? I agree Carlos Grados, if it were more reasonably priced there.
Sloburn - there is a pretty big difference between water and snow, btw! But I understand what you mean. Ironically, the very first remote control (wirelessly controlled that is) vehicle was a submarine, and that also happened to be the first public demonstration of radio technology.
hydra
I am a comercial fisherman i Prince William Sound Alaska. This would be so awesome to have, and I could use it to look at the net and the marine life.