annageek
Well-Known Member
Well, an ROV.. so a bit different (don't think it's been covered here before).
https://www.kickstarter.com/project...an-underwater-drone-for-everyone?ref=category
It looks like a really neat and well thought out design. I come from a background of designing equipment for 'proper' underwater ROVs used for corrosion monitoring, and so it's really cool to see a 'consumer' focused product of the same ilk.
Am I right in thinking that, perhaps excepting the cost a bit, this would be favourable to us boaty types? Could help with a bottom survey for difficult anchoring, or sighting drive gear / hull / thrusters without the need for anyone to get wet. Would the camera provide enough detail? Although, I imagine this would be more of a Med/Caribbean/etc thing, than for over hear in the murky UK waters! The only problem I forsee is getting the umbilical tangled up in whatever it trails past. It looks as if it's neutrally buoyant, so would take some skill to avoid this from happening (and even then, it's no guarantee).
On a semi commercial scale, does this have possibilities? I.e. Should someone unexpectedly take ground and want to inspect something below the water line, then, could the boatyard offer such a low cost service for a quick survey, rather than the cost of a lift out, just to check everything's ok?
Anyway, just thought it was a nice idea, so thought I'd share.
https://www.kickstarter.com/project...an-underwater-drone-for-everyone?ref=category
It looks like a really neat and well thought out design. I come from a background of designing equipment for 'proper' underwater ROVs used for corrosion monitoring, and so it's really cool to see a 'consumer' focused product of the same ilk.
Am I right in thinking that, perhaps excepting the cost a bit, this would be favourable to us boaty types? Could help with a bottom survey for difficult anchoring, or sighting drive gear / hull / thrusters without the need for anyone to get wet. Would the camera provide enough detail? Although, I imagine this would be more of a Med/Caribbean/etc thing, than for over hear in the murky UK waters! The only problem I forsee is getting the umbilical tangled up in whatever it trails past. It looks as if it's neutrally buoyant, so would take some skill to avoid this from happening (and even then, it's no guarantee).
On a semi commercial scale, does this have possibilities? I.e. Should someone unexpectedly take ground and want to inspect something below the water line, then, could the boatyard offer such a low cost service for a quick survey, rather than the cost of a lift out, just to check everything's ok?
Anyway, just thought it was a nice idea, so thought I'd share.
