Regardless, the robot is intended to be used for enclosed-space tasks (like inspecting shipsвЂ™ ballast tanks), so the relatively short range shouldnвЂ™t be an issue. However, the company plans to bring the droneвЂ™s depth to at least 100 meters (328 ft), which should continue to increase as the technology is developed further. ExRay has a 50 m (164 ft) communications range in clear water and total darkness, but that figure decreases as turbidity levels and ambient light increase. Hydromea co-founder Alexander Bahr admits there are still some limitations. The transceiver can transmit a signal as fast as ten megabits per second, allowing you to broadcast HD-resolution video from the drone to the operatorвЂ™s console with virtually no lag.

To be precise, 470-nanometer blue LED light shoots back and forth between two optical modems (one at the surface and one on the ROV). Instead of a tether, it uses the companyвЂ™s Luma underwater communication system that transmits binary data through the water using rapid light pulses. Hydromea put out a demo video of an ExRay prototype in a pool (see below). And, itвЂ™s so compact it can fit into a backpack! (Credit: Hydromea) It can be remotely controlled, sending HD video back in real-time sans any physical connection to the pilot. ItвЂ™s being hailed as the worldвЂ™s first wireless underwater drone. That may change thanks to the Swiss startup Hydromea and its wireless underwater ROV called ExRay.Д®xRay uses light instead of a cable. Still, people havenвЂ™t gotten very far with using them underwater.

Unfortunately, this limits the robotвЂ™s range and can be a hassle because the line can snag on other underwater objects.ДЄs a result, a growing number of civilian drones are being used in the sky for aerial photography, surveillance, delivery, and search and rescue. ThatвЂ™s why underwater drones, also known as underwater remotely operated vehicles (ROVs), must remain tethered to the surface via communications cables to transmit video recordings and control signals.

Underwater drone