Loon Copter is able to fly and swim underwater
At the University of Auckland, they developed a quadrocopter drone, capable of not only flying, but also moving under water. The device, called the Loon Copter, is able to investigate sunken objects or to inspect underwater systems.
Loon Copter swims underwater with propellers The Loon Copter
unmanned aerial vehicle flies like a regular quadcopter. But the device can land on water, pump water into the buoyancy chamber, fall on one side, turn on the screws and end up under water, where it can take video and photos.
The prototype is submerged just a few meters, but researchers are looking for new ways to transfer data for their invention. These can be acoustic modems, relay buoys that can provide streaming video for transmission to the operator.
A drone with such characteristics can be used for a wide range of tasks, primarily for search and rescue operations and inspection of underwater objects and structures. Australian authorities use drones to provide safety from sharks on the coast, but in the case of the Loon Copter, the device could, when it detects a shark, land on the water and use animal repellent systems.
Scientists at the Georgia Institute of Technology are working on a similar project, but the quadrocopter in their execution is not controlled under water - it drowns, after which it rises to the surface with the help of propellers and takes off.
The Naviator drone is closer in characteristics to the Loon Copter, but the Naviator has eight propellers and is submerged at the expense of them, which affects energy consumption. Loon Copter sits on the surface, where it can swim without energy, and depth control is provided by a buoyancy chamber.
The US Navy is working on a drone to track submarines. Flimmer can fly and dive , it is equipped with folding fins that open when immersed in water. The flight speed of the device is about 90 kilometers per hour, and the speed of movement under water is 18 km / h.
Loon Copter swims underwater with propellers The Loon Copter
unmanned aerial vehicle flies like a regular quadcopter. But the device can land on water, pump water into the buoyancy chamber, fall on one side, turn on the screws and end up under water, where it can take video and photos.
The prototype is submerged just a few meters, but researchers are looking for new ways to transfer data for their invention. These can be acoustic modems, relay buoys that can provide streaming video for transmission to the operator.
A drone with such characteristics can be used for a wide range of tasks, primarily for search and rescue operations and inspection of underwater objects and structures. Australian authorities use drones to provide safety from sharks on the coast, but in the case of the Loon Copter, the device could, when it detects a shark, land on the water and use animal repellent systems.
Scientists at the Georgia Institute of Technology are working on a similar project, but the quadrocopter in their execution is not controlled under water - it drowns, after which it rises to the surface with the help of propellers and takes off.
The Naviator drone is closer in characteristics to the Loon Copter, but the Naviator has eight propellers and is submerged at the expense of them, which affects energy consumption. Loon Copter sits on the surface, where it can swim without energy, and depth control is provided by a buoyancy chamber.
The US Navy is working on a drone to track submarines. Flimmer can fly and dive , it is equipped with folding fins that open when immersed in water. The flight speed of the device is about 90 kilometers per hour, and the speed of movement under water is 18 km / h.