Swiss company Hydromea has just unveiled a prototype of the world’s first wireless portable underwater drone. It’s compact enough to fit into a backpack, can be remotely controlled, and transmits HD video in real=time without requiring any physical connection to the pilot. Some practical uses in inspection scenarios include surveying confined flooded spaces, like hydropower dams, closed waterways and ballast tanks on ships.
Technically speaking, a hoverboard refers to a levitating board used for personal transportation, with many iterations features in science-fiction. Despite the many attempts at developing a fully-functional hoverboard, there has not been one yet that could be deemed practical for everyday use. Inventor Hunter Kowald tried his hand at one, and despite being functional, it may be years until we see a production version, if at all.
Photo credit: Lim do-hwi
The problem with most drones is that they aren’t designed for underwater use, especially for search and rescue teams. Saver Whale aims to change that. It comes equipped with rugged cameras, sonar technology, several radars, and a radio system for communication. You can deploy this directly from a helicopter precisely where its service is required, while providing a life vest, rope, and first aid kit if necessary.
What happens when you combine an autonomous personal AI-powered camera, a handheld 3-axis gimbal, and a high-performance drone into an egg-shaped device? You get the PowerEgg X. That’s right, its 4k/60fps HD camera and three-axis gimbal allow just about anyone to create professional quality images, and thanks to its IPX6 rating, the drone can be flown anywhere as well. Product page.
The Sling Pilot Academy spotted the bizarre “Jetpack Guy” flying at 3,000-feet near LAX back in December, and just recently, somebody discovered a humanoid drone that matches its description. To be more specific, it’s basically a 1:1 human mannequin strapped to a drone that can be remote controlled from afar, called the Duocopter with KK 2.15 Flightboard. Despite its size, this drone weighs in at just 10.7-pounds and powered by two 250Kv brushless airplane motors connected to a 10S 3000mah lithium polymer battery.