Image/s credit: Advanced Navigation.

Hydrus Micro-AUV: Go Where No Drone Has Gone Before

company logo for Advanced Navigation Advanced Navigation

Country: Australia

Year: 2022

Summary

Small yet making a big splash in underwater missions, the Hydrus Micro-AUV is the affordable and compact underwater drone you need

Status: Commercially available

Operation: Autonomous

Robot Type / Domain: Industrial, Other Infrastructure

Tasks: Underwater Surveying, Reef Monitoring, Environmental Mapping, Inspection

Whimsical Intro (by addoobot)

Small underwater drone with serious muscles—why? To dive deep with confidence and style, uncovering those hard-to-reach or hazardous unknowns! Hydrus combines the advanced features of hefty underwater explorers with affordability and the simplicity of aerial drones. Discover more below.

More Videos

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Collecting underwater data of a shipwreck
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Another video introducing Hydrus Micro-AUV
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Diving into the Future with the Affordable and Compact Hydrus Micro-AUV

Ever thought something so small could make such a big splash in underwater missions? When you picture high-tech underwater drones, you probably think of bulky, expensive gear, right? This is because the deep sea isn't exactly friendly to electronics and various components, thanks to all that corrosion and high pressure.

But the Hydrus Micro-AUV changes the game. This little marvel is designed to be affordable, compact, and fully autonomous, packed with cutting-edge tech that makes underwater tasks such as surveying a breeze.

Hydrus can dive down to 1000 meters, travel up to 2 kilometers, and operate for 3 hours on a single charge. Let's dive in and see what makes this underwater drone so incredible.

What Makes Hydrus Special - Intelligence Under the Sea

So, what makes Hydrus stand out in the ocean? For starters, its compact size lets it weave through complex underwater environments effortlessly. And because it's affordable, more people can get their hands on one for their underwater missions. But the real magic? Hydrus is super smart.

This tiny AUV is packed with brains, meaning it can handle missions all on its own. Hydrus navigates efficiently, dodges obstacles, communicates clearly, and performs tasks with pinpoint accuracy, whether it’s surveying, mapping, or anything else you throw at it.

Brains and Brawn

Hydrus packs both brains and brawn into its compact frame. Its advanced intelligence comes from a suite of sophisticated sensors, including an advanced Inertial Navigation System (INS), USBL positioning, DVL transducers, and more. These technologies work together to give Hydrus precise localization, control, obstacle avoidance, and more.

But that's not all—Hydrus's platform has an open architecture, allowing you to add custom software and access various systems. This makes it incredibly versatile for specialized missions.

Other Features of Hydrus - Eyes of the Ocean & More

Hydrus also has some impressive vision too. Equipped with a high-quality 4K camera that records at 60 FPS, it ensures high-resolution video and imagery even in low-light conditions. The smart lighting system reduces backscatter in murky waters, perfect for capturing clear images and videos.

This camera combined with various advanced sensors, makes Hydrus highly capable of image processing, 3D RGB point cloud generation, AI classification, and more.

What’s more, Hydrus is user-friendly. Operators can take it out of the box and start using it almost immediately, even for complex missions, thanks to its intuitive interface. Weighing under 7 kg, its compact size means you don’t need specialized equipment or vessels for deployment—a single person can handle it with ease without the need for specialized training.

Furthermore, Hydrus’s unique thruster configuration allows it to maintain precise altitudes and navigate challenging terrains effectively.

Applications - From Coral Reefs to Oil Rigs

Got a mission to explore complex reefs where other drones can't go? Hydrus has got you covered! Need to accurately map the seabed? No problem! This little powerhouse is just as comfortable mapping the seafloor as it is inspecting offshore oil rigs.

But it doesn't stop there. Hydrus is great at localizing and classifying underwater wonders too. Plus, it has the capacity for integration of AI and machine learning applications for tasks like auto-classification of coral species, revolutionizing long-term coastal monitoring projects. Whether you're conducting scientific research or industrial inspections, Hydrus is an amazing underwater drone that can get the job done!

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Brief History

The Hydrus Micro-AUV was brought to life by Advanced Navigation, an Australian company famed for its high-tech AI navigation and robotics wizardry. With their vast expertise, they set out to make professional-grade underwater exploration tools accessible to everyone, not just the big players with deep pockets. This ambitious project required a lot of innovation and hard work, but the team pulled it off. In 2022, Hydrus was launched with a spectacular debut off Rottnest Island, Western Australia, showcasing its incredible capabilities and marking a new era in underwater exploration.

Top 5+ Qualities (by addoobot)

What we find to be the top qualities of Hydrus Micro-AUV by Advanced Navigation:

  • Affordability and Accessibility: Making professional-grade underwater exploration accessible to a wider audience.
  • High-Quality Imaging: Features a 4K camera recording at 60 FPS.
  • Compact, Lightweight, and Easy to Use: Navigate complex underwater environments and be easily deployed by a single person with an intuitive interface.
  • Advanced Navigation: Equipped with advanced components such as INS, USBL, DVL, acoustic, and more.
  • AI Capabilities: AI-driven navigation, image processing, obstacle avoidance, and more.
  • Versatility: Open architecture allows for custom software.

Fun Corner (by addoobot)

'Explore the unknowns' they said!
A meme about underwater AUVs where a small AUV is inside the belly of a whale

Technical Specifications

Size: 484L  264W  216H (mm)

Size: 19.055L  10.394W  8.504H (in)

Max. Payload: N/A

Max. Depth: 3280.840 ft

Max. Depth: 1000 m

Max. Speed: 1 m/s

Max. Speed: 3.281 ft/s

Battery Operated? Yes

Average Runtime: 3 hr(s)

Max. Runtime: 3 hr(s)

Battery Recharge Time: 3.5 hr(s)

Min. Weight in Air: 6.7 kg

Min. Weight in Air: 14.771 lbs

Manipulation: N/A

IP Rating: N/A

Operating Temperature: N/A

Open-source? N/A

Price: N/A

Range & Endurance: 2 km | 3 hrs

Video Resolution: 4K @ 60 FPS

Lighting: 20,000 Lumen

Sensors: 4K @ 60 FPS Camera

Battery: LiPo (lithium-ion polymer)

No more specs to show.

Please visit the official website for more accurate, up-to-date, and complete information on this post. Visit Website   External Link Icon Specifications   External Link Icon

Comment by addoobot - Our Perspective

We believe the Hydrus Micro-AUV is seriously impressive! It's a fantastic example of the high-impact tech we need today. Its affordability makes it invaluable for both industry pros and researchers. Plus, its high-tech and advanced design opens doors to a ton of applications and use cases. Hydrus is definitely making waves in underwater exploration! Have any insights? Comment below and share!

addoorable score:
8.20/10
We think Hydrus's sleek and compact design gives it a charming and 'addoorable' look, especially for underwater exploration. But its powerhouse of great technologies is what's particularly impressive.

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