I Introduce you to the Deepseaker DS1 from iSpace20.
It is fair to say when the weather gets warm, I am more apt to write about more water innovations. Perhaps my mind instantly equates hot weather with wanting to be near water, or in the case of the Deepseaker DS1, below the water’s surface.
The Deepseaker DS1 was first announced back in 2019, and the startup company iSpace20 has just started manufacturing the first watercraft’s hull. Looking at the below pictures, I can’t help but think the designers took inspiration from some of the Star Trek television shows.
Your first questions should be “What makes this unique?” followed by “What can it do?”. Imagine a hydrofoil with the ability to plane across a water's surface at roughly 23 knots (26mph). You would then be able to follow up with the ability to directly dive beneath the surface to a depth of 50m (164ft). This craft brings a new definition to water versatility.
The innovations to the Deepseaker are not restricted to the above or below surface capability. The vehicle will be electric, but the actual range and battery specifications are still in flux. As this vehicle is still undergoing several trials, the information contained herein is subject to change.
One thing that has not changed is ISpace20’s commitment to bringing innovation to the vehicle's ability to stay submerged. A unique electric centrifuge will allow for long excursions underwater. The company promises endless amounts of oxygen can be obtained by the centrifuge's ability to leach oxygen out of the seawater. Having this ability incorporated into the Deepseaker will undoubtedly increase its value to various industries and the overall price of the unit. Can you imagine how much this will cost? (As of this writing, no cost estimate was available)
Safety is of the utmost concern, and to meet the latest requirements, the hull is a double-shell structure to protect the passengers from an unplanned collision. Also important is the inclusion of inflatable airbags as a precaution should the craft need to resurface quickly. The Deepseaker will have many lights on the hull to “light the way” when reaching the lower visibility depths.
The Deepseaker will be equipped with the latest AI navigation features and built-in cameras. Also featured will be a hydrophone for capturing underwater audio emitted by the surrounding sea life. iSpace20’s goal is to appeal to various markets, including marine research, tourism, and luxury enthusiasts.
I, for one, am interested in seeing if the Deepseaker is destined for mass production or will it be another failed endeavor. As I have written about a number of these such watercraft, there is no guarantee this will ever see the light of day. For every success story, countless others never see the light of day. As the old saying goes, “Only time will tell!”.
Opmerkingen