Aquaticopter: An Underwater and Aerial Vehicle

Abstract

The development of a vehicle capable of both air and underwater motion has generated a considerable amount of interest over the past few decades because of the vast number of applications that such a vehicle could facilitate. Applications for civil use could include surveying and inspection of oil rigs, wind farms, boat hulls and bridge supports as well as search-and-rescue operations. Military uses could include stealth missions, reconnaissance, and payload delivery. Although such a vehicle would have similar dynamics as traditional helicopter flight, it would also have suitable dynamics for submersion and underwater locomotion. This report documents the nine month process of creating such a vehicle. It covers the mechanical, electrical and control designs that are necessary to provide three modes of motion for such a vehicle: aerial, water surface and underwater operation.