A company have developed what is claimed to be the “world’s first wireless compact underwater drone”.

Hydromea, which is a startup based in Switzerland, is the creator of the prototype Hydromea ExRay – a remotely operated vehicle (ROV) that transmits real-time video footage via pulses of light as opposed to communication cables.

According to an article on New Atlas, the ExRay measures 70cm (27.5 in) long and weighs in at 7kg (15lbs). It is equipped with multiple thrusters, a zoom-capable HD camera and dual LED spotlights.

“Up to now, portable underwater vehicles always relied on a cable for communication. Our underwater drone works without a cable and sends full HD video stream back in real time. This eliminates any risks of getting stuck in complex flooded spaces, usually associated with cabled vehicles”, said Igor Martin who is both co-founder and CEO of Hydromea.

To communicate data, the robot uses Hydromea’s Luma underwater communications system, which transmits blue LED light from its own optical modem to another above the water. 

The ExRay has been designed with the intention for it to carry out tasks in enclosed flooded spaces. These tasks include the inspection of hydropower dams and also ballast tanks, which are situated in the lower-most regions of a ship.

Representatives of Hydromea say that they aim to have the ExRay commercially released in the later stages of 2022.