IPFS News Link • Drones
Underwater drone follows and films scuba divers
• http://www.gizmag.com, Ben CoxworthIt's a submersible drone that tracks its user as they swim underwater, using a proprietary technique that combines echolocation and object recognition.
Currently still in prototype form, the finished version of the iBubble will incorporate a distortion-free optical dome in which the user's GoPro Hero 3 or 4 will be mounted. The camera will be supported by an image stabilization system, along with two 1,000-lumen lights providing illumination.
As with aerial drones, users will be able to instruct it to simply move along with them. Using a wrist-mounted remote, however, they can also get it to move around them in a horizontal or vertical loop (continuously facing in and shooting video of them as it does so). It has a maximum range of 25 m (80 ft) from the remote, and can descend to down to 60 m (197 ft).