The Tethys One underwater drone, developed by ETH Zurich spinoff company Tethys Robotics, serves as both an autonomous underwater vehicle (AUV) and a remotely operated vehicle (ROV). It is designed to search for submerged items or bodies, eliminating the need for divers to undertake dangerous search operations.
Users program the drone by inputting a specific area in a river, lake, or ocean for it to search. Once deployed, the drone autonomously navigates the programmed area using acoustic sensors and AI-based algorithms to detect objects even in murky water. It employs sonar-like technology to “see” underwater.
When the drone locates a target, the operator is alerted and can assume manual control using real-time video from the drone’s camera. The footage is transmitted via a hard-wired fiber optics cable since radio signals are ineffective underwater. The drone is equipped with a robotic grasper capable of capturing objects weighing up to 40 kg (88 lb) and bringing them to the surface. For heavier objects, the drone can mark their location for retrieval by divers, saving them the time and risks associated with the initial search process.
The Tethys One underwater drone offers an efficient and safer alternative for searching and retrieving submerged items or bodies, particularly in challenging underwater environments where strong currents, low visibility, and deep waters pose risks to human divers.