In recent years, with the unfolding of the consumer-grade unmanned aircraft, the competition in this area is intensifying, however, the underwater UAV sector has enjoyed rare growth opportunities due to the continuous deepening of its marine economic development and its huge potential for development Today, underwater UAVs are becoming the new drone 'gold mine' in the UAV industry.
According to foreign media reports, the French free diving master who recently sneaked into the waters off the coast of Nice in southern France, with the help of underwater iBubble underwater, easily capture the surrounding underwater scenery without the hands. It is reported that this is the world's first Submarine photography civilian drones designed by a French start-up company, its target users are diving enthusiasts, scientists, resorts and diving centers.
In fact, underwater UAV not only shoot this one function.In recent years, underwater UAV usher in the acceleration of development, and increasingly diversified functions.
Underwater UAV 'Blue Ocean Wave'
In recent years, the UAV market has been growing rapidly as UAS technology matures, the threshold of the industry is getting lower, and application scenarios continue to expand. According to Gartner, the global market for the UAV will reach nearly 3 million units this year, with sales Surpassing $ 6 billion, which means that UAV sales will grow 39% over 2016 and sales up 34%.
In recent years, as more and more capital influx, technological update iteration, consumer-level drone industry experienced a reshuffle and integration, coupled with the state released a series of policies and other factors on the UAV control of airspace, Consumer-grade air drone from a blue ocean turned to the Red Sea.
The UAV market has been heated in the sky, underwater or a blue ocean.
In such a situation, a new virgin land slowly emerges, that is, the rising underwater drone.Combined with consumer fighter drone so tragic that the road to change is not an option, especially for start-ups Said that there is a better environment for development and opportunities for underwater UAVs.
Underwater UAV development has significant advantages
At present, in the field of underwater UAVs, R & D is still in its infancy. Few enterprises can launch mainstream products with real industry influence. Now they are in a groping situation. The market is equivalent to a vast expanse of 'wasteland As a result, under many factors, underwater UAVs have become one of the most promising segments of the UAV industry, with significant development advantages.
First of all, from the development background: the traditional underwater operations, manual operation is not only very complicated, personal safety can not be fully protected .Also with the increasing popularity of human ocean activities, water and underwater industries continue to accelerate the development of the future Underwater UAVs demand will continue to rise, this is the trend.
Secondly, from the application field: Underwater UAVs are similar to land-based UAVs, and have a wide range of potential for development. They can be widely used in fisheries breeding, hull inspection, sightseeing diving, marine exploration, marine monitoring, biological research, water Navigation, underwater rescue, pipeline testing and many other fields, which can well fit the future direction of the development of the marine economy and help boost the growth of the water area industry.
In addition, the advantages of the product: With the technological upgrading and mature application of underwater UAVs, not only the risk of manual operation can be drastically reduced, but also the operating efficiency and the corresponding cost of expenditure can be reduced. At the same time, Under the impetus of integration, the underwater UAVs will continue to improve both in terms of comprehensive performance and cost performance, and will be able to complete the work better and promote the large-scale development of this industry.
Special battery development or welcome break
UAV is very popular now, underwater UAV is more useful, to explore the ocean, search for fish, divers photography ... are inseparable from the underwater UAV help. However, there are some disadvantages of underwater UAVs, For example, it charges each charge, the shooting distance is limited.
In addition, lithium-ion batteries are commonly used in underwater UAVs, but such batteries pose some problems. For example, such batteries may cause a fire and therefore the aircraft generally do not carry lithium batteries and are transported by large vessels. Therefore, How to improve the battery life and safety has become the key.
Open Water Power, a startup funded by the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, recently developed a new battery that transforms electrical energy into seawater to extend the working distance of underwater drone ten times. The company said that the newly developed battery It can 'drink sea water and discharge waste at the same time. Compared with the land-based engine sewage disposal method, this technology does not cause too much damage to the environment.
The R & D team said that the new battery provides ten times more power and is safer and more durable than regular lithium batteries, but the new battery retains its capacity only when it is out of water, and the researchers found that, Aluminum anodes are more corrosive, but users can replace the aluminum anodes at a lower price.
As the battery and other key technologies to achieve new breakthroughs, and gradually put into commercial use, I believe the development of underwater UAV will usher in greater help. This not only helps to enhance the effectiveness and safety of underwater UAV use, at the same time Also conducive to the sustainable development of the entire industry.
