iBubble, billed as an autonomous underwater camera, will be seeking funding on Indiegogo from 19 April. It will offer several different filming modes, controlled by a wrist band attached to the diver, which it can be set to follow. It is designed for use with GoPro HERO 3 and 4 cameras and will give one hour of filming at depths of up to 197ft (60m).

There are currently both design and working prototypes. Among the technologies involved are obstacle avoidance sonar, gyroscopic inertial positioning and USBL acoustic underwater positioning.

Pricing is unknown at this time. It is planned to be shipping from “June 2017 at the latest”.

Press release

iBubble

The first hands-free autonomous underwater camera

April 6, 2016 – iBubble, the first autonomous underwater camera is on sale for 1 month, starting April 19, 2016. Since the launch of the project, 7 months ago, thousands of divers, diving centers and athletes have come forward to support the underwater filming drone. Named “one of the top 5 tech gadgets” at the International Boot Show in Düsseldorf, iBubble intends to raise $75 000 on the crowdfunding platform Indiegogo to accelerate its production. All divers and underwater filmmakers are invited to support the project. Press representatives are welcome to contact the PR team for interviews.

Creating and sharing quality movies of underwater adventures with people on land - without worrying about the camera: this is most divers’ dream. iBubble, the first autonomous and hands-free underwater camera, promises just that. It is designed to give divers unprecedented possibilities to create underwater images while letting them enjoy their dives.

A perfect journey with iBubble looks like this:

• After an easy plane trip carrying iBubble in hand luggage (yes, it’s this light), the diver arrives at his dream diving spot. From the boat, he lowers iBubble in the water. The drone idles next to its owner until the descent starts.
• First, iBubble orbits slowly around the diver to analyze his technique. Once at the bottom, the drone follows him silently as he approaches a coral reef, recording the surroundings. A cool octopus attracts the diver’s eye. He uses his control bracelet to call iBubble back to him, grabs it and switches to manual mode. Like with a traditional camera, he zooms right in on the octopus without having to get too close.
• Zip! A shark whizzes by. Unable to follow it, the diver sends iBubble to its pursuit instead. The drone tracks the shark for 25m (80ft) before returning to its owner.
• After about an hour, iBubble signals the end of its battery life. The diver once again calls it back to him and attaches it to his back. Out of the water, the diver uploads the movie on his phone via Bluetooth or Wifi. His diving movie has never looked so professional, with minimal editing required. In fact, it’s pretty much ready to be shared with his friends. Those friends who will watch it at work, while rain is pouring outside. Tough luck. Our diver, on the other hand, has got a hammock to try.

Using innovative technologies (the patent is pending), the drone will produce less noise than a scuba diver. It will withstand depths of up to 60m (197ft) and currents as strong as 3 knots. Obstacle avoidance is an area on which iBubble’s team is uncompromising: used in standard conditions, the drone will avoid marine life, fragile shipwrecks and other divers alike. Integrated lights and a gimbal provide steady, professional-looking images. For all technical specifications, please read below or refer to our FAQs.

iBubble’s revolutionary aspect resides in the freedom it gives divers, as well as the filming modes that were impossible up to now:

• seeing oneself in action from afar
• have iBubble quickly travel vertically to capture things out of reach
• order iBubble to orbit around someone
• send iBubble behind fast-moving subjects such as sharks

iBubble’s final prototype should be tested at the end of 2016, with deliveries planned for late Spring 2017.

How to order

The pre-sales campaign starts Tuesday, April 19 at 9am PST. To access the page (the link will activate on April 19 only). It will run for 30 days, but anybody interested in buying one is encouraged to order early – this will ensure the campaign’s success and prompt delivery of the drone.

Technical features

Autonomous

iBubble shadows the diver via a connected bracelet. Hands-free, it doesn’t require any other input than the choice of filming angle.

Filming angles

Follow me, follow “it”, 360° selfie, zoom in, zoom out and manual are the available pre-set filming modes. A touch of the bracelet is enough to switch between them.

Speed

iBubble can swim at 1m/s or 60m/min (3.2 ft/s or 197ft/min)

Depth

iBubble withstands depths of up to 197ft (60m).

Compatible Cameras

iBubble works with GoProⓇ Hero versions 3 and 4.

Battery life

iBubble follows the diver for 1 hour on one battery. Batteries can be swapped easily for longer outings.

Lights

Thanks to integrated LED lights, iBubble captures quality video, always.

Safety

In case of an emergency, iBubble automatically resurfaces. A beacon makes it easy to locate.

Handling

With convenient handles, the drone is a breeze to transport on land.