9 Best Underwater Drones in Australia
By Trudie Cross on July 10, 2019
Submarine drones (otherwise known as ROVs — remotely operated vehicles) are becoming popular for underwater photography, filming and exploration.
Underwater Drone Facts (if you didn’t already know):
- Underwater drones are mostly attached to a wire, this is because radio waves don’t travel easily in water. This wire is used for controlling movement, streaming images and tracking the location of the drone. However, wireless drones are now being introduced and give more possibilities for control and movement.
- Submarine Drones generally have 4K cameras for high-quality video and drone photography. They also have powerful LED headlamps to see in deep water. However, they differ in terms of speed, operating depth, size and weight, method of control, battery duration and the purposes they are mainly used for.
In this list, we include the nine best submarine/underwater drones to use in Australia:
Biki
- Price - Affordable
- Weight - 1.1 kg
- Speed - Lowest - 0.5 metres/second
- Aesthetics - Fairly simple design with a streamlined body mimicking the appearance of fish
Biki is designed for fun rather than any commercial use. Nevertheless, it is equipped with two LEDs and has a 4K camera that delivers high quality, smooth videos. Added to that, it’s one of the few wireless drones and comes with a waterproof remote control so you can swim with it.
Nemo
- Price - Affordable
- Weight - 3.6 kg
- Speed - 2 metres/second
- Aesthetics - Ergonomically designed to glide easily and move faster through water
Nemo is powered by two horizontal and two vertical propellers that give it an excellent speed. Nemo comes with a backpack for easy transportation and fast-charging, a changeable battery that has up to three hours of life. Along with this, the 4K camera provides high-quality images and WiFi connectivity allowing these to be transmitted live to your phone or tablet. A downloadable iOS or Android app allows you to control the drone with the same device.
Gladius Mini
You can look at an in-depth product review here
- Weight - 2.5 kg
- Speed - 2 metres/second
- Aesthetics - Streamlined, biologically designed
Equipped with 4K UHD camera, this drone can dive down to 100m, rise-up, hover, tilt, and turn with precision. Three vertical propellers combined with intelligent control algorithms ensure the stability of the drone in all directions while two thrusters propel GLADIUS MINI at a speed of 2m/s.
Power Ray
- Weight - 3.8 kg
- Speed - 2 metres/second
- Aesthetics - Tough aluminium core in a sleek, shock-absorbing body
Equipped with sonar and an array of sensors, these drones can detect the presence of fish, assess water temperature and determine the general seabed topology. It’s, therefore, the perfect drone for fishermen who can use it to fish in a more effective manner.
It can operate with three-hour battery life. The 4K camera can capture video or still images at twelve megapixels.
MITO
- Weight - 3.45 kg
- Speed - 2 metres/second
- Aesthetics - four-thruster design and tilt-lock function from -45 degree to 45 degree
It’s managed by a wireless remote control with a 500-metre range or by a phone or tablet with a downloaded iOS or Android app.
The swappable batteries last for four hours. Equipped with two bright LEDs and a 4K camera, live videos and twelve megapixel still images can be uploaded to a mobile device where the supplied app enables colour correction and sharing.
FIFISH
- Weight - 3.9 kg
- Speed - 1.5 metres/second
- Aesthetics - six-thruster design with 4K Camera and tether plug
FIFISH allows exceptional manoeuvrability — movement in any direction and at any angle, with 90-degree tilts and 360-degree spins. It has one of the deepest maximum depths at 100 metres with four-hour battery life and speed of 1.5 metres per second.
Filming is enhanced by extremely bright LED headlights and a 4K UHD camera that’s optimised for underwater shots. This has HDMI live streaming, automatic colour enhancing algorithms and there’s a VR head tracking mode that gives full control through movements of the head.
CCROV
- Weight - 5524g
- Speed - 1 metres/second
- Aesthetics - four horizontal and two vertical thrusters with 4k/30fps camera and 100m diving capacity
The development of this ROV was financed by crowdfunding and the theme is continued with the use of open-source GNU/Linux software that’s free to download. The wire length can be 25, 50 or 75 metres with a maximum speed of one metre per second and three-hour battery life. These are also the smallest ROV in the market!
iBubble
This is the most expensive of the drones tested and arguably the most successful. It’s one of the few wireless versions and so can operate freely with little restriction up to a depth of sixty metres.
Battery life is only one hour but it has a 4K camera with automated movie scenarios. It’s ideal for scuba divers and can be used manually while underwater or via a connected bracelet.
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Mastering the Art of Conversing with Kate: Your Revolutionary AI Study Buddy
Droneit's groundbreaking AI instructor, Kate, is revolutionising RPAS education. Discover how advanced learning styles and enhanced accessibility options set Droneit apart as the industry leader. Explore the future of aviation education and unlock new possibilities for success with Droneit's student portal.
Discover the top 5 fastest-growing drone industries of 2023 in Australia. Droneit provides online training and assessment to earn your CASA drone flying licence. Contact us today to get started.
