Waterborne Inspection and Survey Equipment - Drone Cage

The last few months have seen the research and design team at DC focusing heavily on our latest project.

ATRP, or Aquatic Tunnel Reconnaissance Platform, is now onto Version 3+. Nearly two years ago and straight off the drawing board, Version 1 was designed and built in less than a month and put to task. V1.0 was crude, rough and an absolute nightmare to pilot. Our ROV operator had no previous experience with the V1.0, but managed to navigate for over an hour deep into a flooded mountainside tunnel, to the source of the leak and back. V1.0 returned out of the tunnel partially sunk, with the electronics twitching and the data capture device completely soaked. Luckily all of the data was salvaged, which is more than can be said about V1.0, which carried on serving as a doorstop for a short while, before finally being harvested of any remaining parts.

V2.0 turned out to be a major learning curve, and had nowhere near the success of the original, now extinct V1.0. But the V2.0 concept provided us with an excellent platform to improve and develop our skills, and manufacturing techniques.

However, Drone Cage is now proud to announce our ATRP V3+ series.

ATRP-3 ROV

Whilst still in the final stages of application testing, V3+ has already shown strengths in endurance, range and durability that far surpassed expectation.

General Specs;

  • 4-5 hour “on target” standby

  • 1.5 hour moving time

  • Mission capable

  • Way point capable

  • 2kg payload capability

  • Customisable and interchangeable payload mounts

  • Live HD 720p/120fps - 1080p/60fps Digital downlink

  • 360° Pan and Tilt camera

  • Up to 3.5km range

  • Full telemetry downlink

  • Autopilot function with failsafe

The V3+ is designed and produced with 3D printing in mind. As well as decreasing Health and Safety risks and saving money, V3+ is also designed to be kind to the environment. The filament we use is biodegradable and safe for use in aquatic environments. V3+ is constructed using high end electronics to guarantee reliability, durability and results, but remains at a price point that will guarantee a saving on it’s first mission. The vehicle does not have any form of propulsion below the water line to ensure that even in the shallowest of water, the V3+’s impact is kept to a minimum. The vehicle also boasts a class leading draught, giving the V3+ unprecedented performance.

ATRP V3+ is already influencing how remote aquatic space inspections are carried out. The cost saving alone is significant. Combine the financial saving with the drastically reduced risk to human life and it becomes a no-brainer.

Charlotte DykeComment