TOP 15 Underwater Technologies
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00:00Hey everyone, these advancements have revolutionized how we interact with, explore, and understand
00:05the underwater world.
00:07From cutting-edge tools that enable deeper and safer dives, to sophisticated systems
00:11for monitoring marine environments, I'm unveiling 15 incredible underwater technologies.
00:17Starting with number 15, Huijin.
00:19By now, we've all heard of UAVs, Unmanned Aerial Vehicles, but have you heard of AUVs?
00:26The Huijin Superior Autonomous Underwater Vehicle represents the latest advancement
00:31in the Huijin family of AUVs, developed by the Norwegian firm Kongsberg Maritime.
00:37Unveiled in December of 2018, the Huijin Superior system offers enhanced data collection,
00:42positioning, and endurance for a variety of defense applications, including underwater
00:47surveys, covert rapid assessments, and mine countermeasures.
00:51On top of the defense applications, the advanced AUV is also suitable for a wide range of government
00:56and commercial uses such as geographical surveys, hydrography, marine archaeology,
01:01and pipeline inspections.
01:03It's built on an existing platform, this one features a hydrodynamic shape measuring about
01:0721 feet in length and weighing about 4,800 pounds.
01:11It's equipped with a HiSAS 1032 dual receiver synthetic aperture sonar, or SAS.
01:16The Huijin Superior produces a 3,200-foot swath at 2.5 knots, delivering high-resolution
01:21imagery with a resolution of approximately 2 inches by 2 inches.
01:25It also provides detailed imagery of the seabed at a depth of 665 feet, which enhances seabed
01:31mapping and inspection with three operating frequencies, 200 kHz for deep water inspection,
01:36300 kHz for near-bottom inspection, and 400 kHz for very high-resolution inspection.
01:43Communication systems onboard this AUV encompass an ultra-high-frequency two-way link radio,
01:48Iridium over-the-horizon two-way satellite link, and the Iridium emergency localization
01:53beacon.
01:54And it's even got Wi-Fi.
01:5514.
01:56The Ocean Farm 1 The world's population ain't getting any
02:02smaller and sometimes it can feel like there are more people on the planet than it can
02:06handle.
02:07And while food supplies may not exactly be limited, world hunger persists.
02:11By 2030, the world needs to be able to produce 70% more food than what we're working with
02:17now while using fewer resources and leaving behind a minimal footprint.
02:23So that's where Ocean Farm 1 comes in.
02:25Despite covering two-thirds of the world's surface, only 2% of our food consumption comes
02:29from the ocean, so Ocean Farm 1 aims to fix that problem.
02:33This massive 220-foot-tall, 360-foot-diameter facility is the world's first offshore fish
02:39farm looking for a long-term solution to the exploitative world of your typical fish farm.
02:45It can operate all on its own without the use of any external fishing vessels, and it's
02:49built to operate for a full 25 years and is able to withstand typhoons and earthquakes
02:54all while producing 1.5 million fish a year.
02:57But just like a typical fishing vessel, won't Ocean Farm 1 pick up all sorts of trash that
03:02float in the ocean?
03:03Well, nope, it's not, because the facility's surrounded by a netting that keeps anything
03:07that could harm the fish inside away.
03:11Ocean Farm 1 is an amazing facility that will hopefully keep humankind fed for the rest
03:16of our days.
03:1813.
03:19The Submarine Sports Car So if you've got two million bucks laying
03:23around, then why not spend all of it on a brand-new sports car and just drive it straight
03:27into the ocean?
03:28Well, that's what Submarine Sports Car is made for.
03:31This thing takes a page straight out of the classic James Bond films and lets you live
03:35out your super-spy fantasy, as long as you bring in the breathing tank and some goggles.
03:39Well, the manufacturer boasts that it's the only car that can exist both on land and underwater
03:44and can transform with just the push of a button.
03:47The Sub Sports Car has propellers at its rear and two water jets at the front that
03:51allow the driver to both steer under the waves and breach the surface again.
03:55It's a completely zero-emissions vehicle with a 54-kilowatt electric motor under the hood
04:00and powered by a total of six 48-volt lithium-ion battery packs that, after a four-hour charge,
04:05can last for about 18 miles or three hours underwater.
04:09And of course, the car's interior is both waterproof and totally impervious to both
04:12fresh and salt water.
04:14There's even an onboard laser-guided sensor that lets the car cruise underwater autonomously
04:19so you can enjoy the scenery.
04:21Needless to say, I guess we are kinda living in the future.
04:2512.
04:26Hublot Exosuit When it comes to deep-sea exploration, few
04:30technologies can spark our imagination the way that the Hublot Exosuit can.
04:35This is a $1.2 million piece of gadgetry that represents the pinnacle of engineering excellence.
04:41Unlike traditional submarines, the Exosuit is a wearable submarine primarily made of
04:45aluminum equipped with life-support systems that allows a diver to stay submerged for
04:49extended periods without worrying about oxygen limitations.
04:53The Exosuit's design emphasizes maintaining surface-level pressure inside the suit, eliminating
04:58the need for decompression upon resurfacing.
05:01This atmospheric suit is tethered to support a vessel via cable that supplies power and
05:05oxygen, enabling a diver to remain underwater for up to 50 hours if needed.
05:10The suit is outfitted with advanced communication equipment and a suite of information-gathering
05:14gadgets, and the diver can control the suit's limbs through manipulators, and the feet are
05:18equipped with propulsion systems for maneuverability and descent.
05:22The Exosuit's first major dive to a depth of 1,000 feet took place 100 miles off the
05:27coast of Rhode Island.
05:29The mission was spearheaded by Michael Lombardi, a National Geographic explorer.
05:33He likened the experience to wearing a submarine, a process that's involved a considerable trial
05:38and error period as he adapts to the restrictive movements required within the suit.
05:43Rather than bending his elbows, Lombardi must roll his entire arm through a series of joints
05:48to achieve the desired motion.
05:50It may not be easy, but it certainly might be worth it.
05:5411.
05:55MAG HD Oil and gas is an incredibly straightforward
05:59industry, and it certainly isn't going anywhere anytime soon.
06:03For better or for worse, but technological advancements are revolutionizing how companies
06:08operate, with underwater drones playing a pivotal role.
06:11At BP's Thunder Horse Oil Platform in the U.S. Gulf of Mexico, a dog-sized robot named
06:17MAG HD, or just MAGI, uses magnetic tracks to traverse pipes and inspect the subsea infrastructure.
06:24Before MAGI, these dangerous inspections were conducted by specialist technicians who rappelled
06:28along the platform, a risky and highly paid job.
06:33MAGI is part of a category known as magnetic crawlers.
06:35These devices can move across rigs, platforms, and pipelines both above and below water,
06:40utilizing ultrasonic testing equipment and high-def cameras.
06:44They're priced at around $60,000 each, and these crawlers provide a significant safety
06:48and efficiency boost.
06:50Life on an oil rig is one of the toughest jobs out there, and so BP's goal, with something
06:54like MAGI, is to eliminate the need for human presence in unsafe environments, improving
06:59data collection, and significantly enhancing everybody's safety.
07:03According to Dave Trutch, the technology director in BP's Digital Innovation Organization,
07:07drones and crawlers can conduct inspections in about half the time it takes for rope-access
07:12technicians while placing fewer workers at risk.
07:15Drones can expect flaring equipment used to burn off dangerous gases without necessitating
07:20a complete shutdown, which can last from 5 to 20 days.
07:23And while drones and crawlers cannot yet perform physical repairs, they optimize the process
07:28by only deploying human workers when absolutely necessary.
07:3210.
07:34Dash
07:35Unfortunately, conflict is a part of humanity's past, present, and future.
07:40But as we evolve, the question becomes, how do we mitigate the damages and keep people
07:44out of harm's way?
07:46Submarines, especially diesel-electric ones, remain a significant threat due to their affordability,
07:52increasing lethality, and reducing acoustic signatures.
07:55The Distributed Agile Submarine Hunting Program, or DASH for short, developed by DARPA, aims
08:01to detect and track submarines across vast areas of both deep and shallow waters.
08:06DASH operates similarly to an underwater satellite capable of functioning at extreme ocean depths.
08:12These underwater satellites, or subulites, are designed for stealthy, unmanned operations,
08:17scanning upwards from the depths to detect the quieter diesel-electric submarines.
08:22In January, DARPA awarded contracts to companies like Cortana Corps for the Shallow Water Agile
08:27Submarine Hunting, the SWASH program, with focuses on lightweight, small, and low-power
08:33surveillance technologies.
08:35Once a submarine is detected by DASH, a small autonomous vessel known as an X-ship will
08:39be deployed to track the sub.
08:41This is part of DARPA's Anti-Submarine Warfare Continuous Trial Unmanned Vessel Program,
08:46or the ACTOV.
08:48It aims to autonomously detect and track even the most silent diesel-electric subs.
08:52To harness the best strategies for countering those subs, DARPA invited the public to participate
08:57in a crowdsourcing initiative.
08:59Through the free Dangerous Waters Tactics Simulator, gamers could track enemy submarines
09:04and contribute their tactics to DARPA.
09:07Successful strategies from gamers will be incorporated into the ACTOV software, ensuring
09:11it's got the most effective methods for autonomous submarine tracking.
09:15This innovative approach combines advanced technology with public engagement in gaming
09:20and leverages collective intelligence to tackle submarine threats.
09:249.
09:26MIT'S UNDERWATER CAMERA Lights, camera, action!
09:31Scientists estimate that more than 95% of the Earth's oceans remain unexplored, meaning
09:36we know less about the deep sea than we do about the far side of the moon or the surface
09:40of Mars, which is kind of insane when you think about it.
09:43But one significant barrier to extensive undersea exploration is the high cost powering
09:48underwater cameras, which typically require either a tether to the research vessel or
09:53a frequent recharging on a ship.
09:55However, researchers at MIT have made a groundbreaking advancement by developing a battery-free wireless
10:01underwater camera.
10:02This camera is about 100,000 times more energy efficient than existing underwater cameras,
10:07capable of taking color photos even in dark environments.
10:11This camera is powered entirely by sound.
10:13It converts mechanical energy from sound waves traveling through the water into electrical
10:18energy, which powers its imaging and communications equipment.
10:22This innovation enables the camera to operate autonomously for weeks before retrieval, allowing
10:27scientists to explore remote ocean areas for new species, monitor pollution, or observe
10:32the health and growth of fish.
10:34Sound waves from various sources, such as passing ships or marine life, cause the transducers
10:39to vibrate and produce electrical energy.
10:41The camera then stores that harvested energy until enough is accumulated to power its electronics
10:46for taking photos and transmitting the data.
10:48They also developed a low-power flash using red, green, and blue LEDs.
10:53When capturing an image, the camera illuminates the scene sequentially with red, green, and
10:57blue LEDs.
10:58Although the sensor only captures grayscale images, the reflected colored light is recorded
11:03in the images, which can then be combined in post-processing to reconstruct a color
11:07photograph.
11:088.
11:09The Ocean Cleanup's Interceptor In the urgent battle against ocean plastic
11:15pollution, where approximately 8 million tons of plastic enter our oceans each year, the
11:19Ocean Cleanup has emerged as a beacon of innovation and action.
11:24Founded by Boyan Slat when he was just 18 years old, the Ocean Cleanup has tirelessly
11:28pursued solutions to rid our seas of plastic waste.
11:32Originally unveiled in Rotterdam, the Interceptor represents a milestone in environmental tech.
11:37This revolutionary catamaran-like device operates by harnessing solar power and utilizes a system
11:42to collect plastic debris efficiently.
11:45Equipped with lights, sensors, and a solar-powered conveyor belt, it identifies and channels
11:49plastic waste towards its collection mechanism.
11:52As plastic flows towards the vessel, it's guided onto a conveyor that directs it onto
11:56six onboard dumpsters located on a separate barge underneath.
12:00This streamlined process ensures continuous operation and maximum efficiency.
12:05The vessels have proven effective in high-pollution river environments too, such as the Klang
12:09River in Malaysia and the Cengkareng Drain in Jakarta, Indonesia.
12:13With plans to deploy more Interceptors in key rivers worldwide, including Vietnam's
12:17Mekong Delta and Santo Domingo in the Dominican Republic, the Ocean Cleanup aims to strategically
12:22position these devices in the 1,000 rivers responsible for the majority of ocean plastic
12:28pollution.
12:29By the end of 2025, their ambitious goal is to have Interceptors actively operating in
12:33all those critical waterways.
12:36Moving on to number 7, Backscatter.
12:40With the Backscatter, researchers have demonstrated the first ultra-low-power underwater networking
12:45and communication system capable of transmitting signals for miles.
12:50This groundbreaking technique, developed over several years thanks to the brains at MIT,
12:54uses about one millionth of the power required by existing underwater communication methods.
13:00The system employs underwater backscatter to enable low-power communication.
13:04This method encodes data in sound waves, reflecting or scattering them back to a receiver.
13:10The system's retro-directivity minimizes signal scattering in unwanted directions,
13:15resulting in more efficient and longer-range communication.
13:18When tested in river and ocean environments, the retro-directive device demonstrated a
13:22communication range over 15 times farther than previous devices.
13:27This underwater backscatter communication device uses nodes made from piezoelectric
13:31materials, which generate an electric signal when mechanical force is applied.
13:36When sound waves hit these nodes, they vibrate and convert mechanical energy into an electric
13:40charge.
13:41It all may sound nerdy, but it's almost kind of like echolocation.
13:45The biggest challenge facing backscatter communication is that the scattered signal travels in all
13:50directions, with only a small fraction reaching the source, thus reducing signal strength.
13:55To address this, researchers use a Vanatta array, a 70-year-old radio device concept.
14:00In this array, symmetric pairs of antennas are connected to reflect energy back in the
14:04direction it came from.
14:06But with enough time, tests, and trials, this backscatter will allow us to hear things in
14:10the deepest depths like never before.
14:136.
14:14The Nautilus Yacht Submarine At the 2022 Monaco Yacht Show, Dutch builder
14:20U-Boat Works unveiled a design for the Nautilus, a groundbreaking 1,200-ton, 125-foot yacht
14:27submarine.
14:29This innovative vessel seamlessly transitions between functioning as a yacht and a submersible,
14:34offering a new level of yacht life and adventure.
14:37Though many today have probably not read it, Jules Verne's 20,000 Leagues Under the Sea
14:41continues to permeate our culture.
14:44Despite being nearly 200 years old, the novel has a grasp on today's boaters.
14:49U-Boat Works, a world leader in small submersibles, has engineered the Nautilus to combine luxury
14:53and safety in a fully certified private submersible.
14:57The diesel-electric Nautilus has a depth rating of about 600 feet, a surface cruise speed
15:02of about 9 knots, and an underwater speed of 4 knots.
15:05Once an order is placed, it can be delivered within 30 months.
15:09This vessel is designed to be equally functional both above and below the water.
15:13When operating as a boat, it offers an expansive sundeck complete with a freshwater pool, bar,
15:18and luxurious dining table.
15:20Those features are retracted before the vessel submerges.
15:23It also includes a pressure-resistant electrical tender, the Aranax, which is stored under
15:27the aft deck and remains outside while diving.
15:30The Nautilus' interior features a 530-square-foot dining and lounge area with four large circular
15:36windows, each nearly 15 feet in diameter.
15:40The proposed design includes a master bedroom, four staterooms, and sleeping quarters for
15:44up to six crew members.
15:46Customers can also fully customize the interior layout to suit their preferences, and the
15:49superyacht sub can remain underwater for up to four days.
15:53At cruising speed, its underwater endurance is about six hours.
15:57When not in use, the Nautilus can dock anywhere that can accommodate its 21-foot draft.
16:01The whole thing starts at $26 million.
16:055.
16:06Hero Blue In the realm of underwater exploration, where
16:10challenges abound and depths conceal the mysteries, Hero Blue emerges as a pioneering force, redefining
16:17capabilities of remotely operated vehicles.
16:20Hero Blue, short for Hazardous and Extreme Environment Robot for Biomimetic Multi-Locomotion-Based
16:26Underwater Expedition, stands out for not only its ambitious name but also for its innovative
16:32design and capability.
16:34This proof-of-concept robot measures about 31 inches by 23 inches, and unlike traditional
16:39ROVs, it's limited by electric thrusters.
16:42Central to its prowess are its unique fins, locomotion mechanisms.
16:46Traditionally, ROVs rely on electric thrusters that can be hindered by debris or strong currents,
16:51and in contrast, it's got four multimodal fins and two lateral fins crafted from polymer
16:56panels and elastomer tendons.
16:58Whether swimming like a fish, through open waters, or navigating complex seabeds by walking
17:02or crawling, it adjusts its locomotion method dynamically to suit the environment.
17:08Hero Blue's development marks a significant advancement in underwater robotics.
17:13Beyond its current remote-controlled capability, the robot's stereoscopic vision holds promise
17:17for future autonomous operations.
17:19This potential autonomy positions it as a front-runner in pioneering underwater exploration
17:24missions, gathering data, and conducting research with precision.
17:27As industries and scientific endeavors increasingly turn to the oceans for resources and knowledge,
17:33Hero Blue stands poised to revolutionize underwater exploration and maintenance tasks.
17:394.
17:40Deep's Underwater Habitats It seems that so many of today's innovators
17:45are looking to colonize other planets, but what if the space we need lies in our world's
17:50oceans?
17:51DEEP, a pioneering research organization, is set to revolutionize exploration by creating
17:56an underwater habitat featuring submarines, livable residences, research laboratories,
18:02and observatories on the seabed.
18:04It's scheduled to open its doors to the public by 2027.
18:07This project will leverage modular subsea habitats known as Sentinel, offering a new
18:12frontier for marine research and human habitation.
18:15To ensure the smooth operation and habitation of the Sentinel, DEEP has established an institute
18:19to train divers in transporting and maintaining the underwater architecture.
18:24These trained divers will play a critical role in deploying modular habitats and guiding
18:28their long-term use.
18:29DEEP is already in discussions with several partners for the first deployments.
18:33The initiative is strategically positioned in the UK's southwest, an area rich in marine
18:38engineering, diving, hyperbaric, and submersible expertise.
18:42The site chosen for development, the former National Diving Academy Center in Gloucestershire,
18:46covers 50 acres and will be pivotal in testing and developing underwater equipment.
18:51DEEP aims to establish a permanent human presence underwater by 2027.
18:56The Tinditum site will serve as a core part of the regional ecosystem in southwest of
19:00England, fostering development exercises for DEEP and other organizations.
19:04Initially, this technology will allow scientists to live underwater at depths of up to 600
19:09feet for extended periods, enhancing our ability to observe, monitor, and understand the ocean
19:14and its species.
19:17Number 3.
19:18Tidal Stream Generators The quest for sustainable and renewable energy
19:23sources has led to the exploration of various natural phenomena, including the movement
19:28of ocean tides.
19:30A really promising technology in this domain is the tidal stream generator, often referred
19:34to as a tidal energy converter.
19:37These machines capture energy from moving masses of water, primarily tides, and convert
19:42it into electricity.
19:43Conceptualized during the 1970s oil crisis, tidal stream generators have evolved to become
19:48one of the most cost-effective and friendly methods of tidal power generation available.
19:53The fundamental principle behind their operation is pretty straightforward.
19:56As water flows through the turbine, it causes the blades to rotate, which in turn drives
20:01a generator to produce electricity.
20:03The significant advantage of using water currents lies in the density of the medium.
20:08Water is approximately 800 times denser than air, which means a tidal generator can produce
20:12substantial power even at lower flow.
20:15Power output from these devices is proportional to the density of the medium and the cube
20:20of its velocity, allowing for the water to move at just one-tenth the speed of wind to
20:24generate equivalent power.
20:26The development and testing of these technologies have been significantly advanced by the establishment
20:30of the world's first marine energy test facility in 2003, located in Orkney, Scotland.
20:36The European Marine Energy Centre was created to catalyze the wave and tidal energy industry
20:41in the UK.
20:42The centre has become a global leader.
20:44Its grid-connected tidal test site is strategically situated in a narrow channel that concentrates
20:50tidal flows between the Atlantic and the North Sea.
20:53The advantages of tidal energy are plentiful, one of the primary benefits is its high energy
20:58density.
20:59Additionally, this energy is highly predictable due to the regular and cyclic nature of tides,
21:04as opposed to wind.
21:06Tidal turbines also have a minimal visual impact since they're submerged and thus don't
21:11alter the landscape or the seascape.
21:152.
21:16The Deep Flight Dragon
21:17The Deep Flight Dragon, a revolutionary personal sub, has swiftly captured the imagination of
21:22super yacht owners and marine enthusiasts.
21:25Developed by Deep Flight, a California-based firm founded in 1996, the Dragon epitomizes
21:30the company's vision of marine aviation.
21:33One of the most remarkable features of it is its ease of operation.
21:36Unlike traditional subs, which typically require a professional pilot, the Dragon can be driven
21:41by almost anyone thanks to its patented intuitive controls.
21:45In any emergency, the Dragon's structural design ensures that it will naturally float
21:49back to the surface, offering an unparalleled level of safety.
21:52The Dragon is equipped with their Deep Flight Drive Manager, a sophisticated monitoring
21:56control system that manages critical aspects of the dive, including depth control, battery
22:01consumption, and oxygen levels.
22:03Visually, it's as impressive as it is functional.
22:07Resembling a Formula One car, it controls its position and depth with six propellers.
22:12This configuration allows the Dragon to ascend and descend vertically, enhancing its maneuverability.
22:17Powered by lithium battery electric propulsion, the Dragon has a range of up to six hours
22:21and a cruising speed of up to four knots, and can dive to about 400 feet.
22:26It measures about 16 feet in length, 6 feet in width, and about 3.5 feet in height, and
22:31it weighs about 4,000 pounds.
22:33The design consideration here makes it an ideal accessory for super yachts, a market
22:38in which Deep Flight already enjoys a prestigious clientele, including notable figures such
22:43as Richard Branson and Tom Perkins.
22:46All the features in this enhanced submarine's utility and appeal allows users to capture
22:50stunning underwater footage and locate marine life with ease, all for just 1.5 million bucks.
22:581.
23:00NEMO's Garden When envisioning the future of agriculture,
23:04one's mind might wander to the idea of cultivating crops on Mars.
23:08However, an innovative Italian firm in the diving equipment business sees the next frontier
23:13for food production much closer to home, the sea.
23:17NEMO's Garden, the world's first underwater cultivation system of terrestrial plants,
23:22exemplifies this visionary approach.
23:25Situated off the coast of Noli in Italy, this unique farm consists of an array of suspended
23:29transparent dome-shaped greenhouses known as biospheres anchored to the seabed.
23:34With the global population projected to reach approximately 10 billion by 2050, the United
23:39Nations estimates that food production must increase by up to 60% to meet that demand.
23:44NEMO's Garden presents a novel solution to this impending challenge.
23:49The consistent temperature of seawater further creates an optimal environment for plant growth.
23:53Utilizing hydroponics, a soil-free technique that employs water-based nutrients, NEMO's
23:58Garden mirrors the method used in most indoor vertical farms.
24:02Despite their small size, though, each biosphere is about seven feet in diameter.
24:06It can accommodate between 70 to 100 smaller plants.
24:09We tested hundreds of different plants, ranging from strawberries to tomatoes, beans, and
24:13of course, herbs, Gambarini shares.
24:16Various studies, including 2020 Research Project, have indicated that plants grown in NEMO's
24:21Garden, such as basil, possess higher essential oil concentrations and more antioxidants compared
24:26to those grown on land.
24:28Other companies worldwide are also exploring underwater farming.
24:31Green Wave, a non-profit in North America, is cultivating seaweed and shellfish on underwater
24:36scaffolds, while C6 Energy in Bangalore has developed a mechanized tractor for planting
24:41and harvesting seaweed on the ocean floor.
24:44As for NEMO's Garden, though, future plans include creating a larger biosphere and exploring
24:48different locations to test feasibility in different environments.
24:52A small-scale version is set to be established in a cold-water quarry in Ohio in the United
24:56States any day now.
24:58Thanks for watching everyone, I'll see you next time.