California startup makes underwater drone controlled via app

Drones have been very successful in getting hobbyists excited about exploring various ways of using the technology, helping generate interest in aerial photography and birthing a new sport: drone racing. A Menlo, Park California-based startup called O-Robotix is looking to open up a new frontier for drone users with its SeaDrone.

As the name suggests, SeaDrone is a submersible unmanned vehicle. O-Robotix co-founder Eduardo Moreno told TechCrunch the product is an "underwater quadcopter." The drone is small enough to fit inside a carrying case and runs on a custom version of Linux that is controlled via a tablet app. The OS allows users to program their own motions into the SeaDrone, like capturing 360-degree video.

TechCrunch reports that the SeaDrone is made for commercial use with maritime and sea-based farming in mind. While promotional photos show the drone completely submerged in water, there is no mention of how deep it can go. However, an attached cord is seen in the photos. Without that, the odds are good that it cannot go far since radio waves do not travel well in water, which removes the advantage of controlling wirelessly the drone via tablet.

The SeaDrone is not the first underwater drone put on display. Rutgers University revealed something similar last year that it developed with funding from the US Navy. Others are also no doubt working to help consumers unlock the mysteries of the deep sea, but given the limitations of underwater radio communication, it is a difficult product to pull off. Some China companies make water-resistant drones capable of landing and floating on water, but there is no industry around submersible drones yet. If that ever takes off, drone racing could get a lot more interesting.