EagleRay: drone that can equally well swim underwater and flying in the air

We are all accustomed to the fact that the drones fly over the ground. Or float on the water. Or examine underwater depth. But what if you could combine all of these devices in one? This is what did the engineers of the University of North Carolina, developed a drone amphibious EagleRay.

EagleRay is a drone with a rigid wing. Due to its special design, EagleRay able to fly, dive into the water float on the water surface and carry an underwater prospecting. Eagleray, among other things, it is on the surface of solar panels, which allow him to podrazryazhatsya until it floats on the surface of the water or flying in the air. Before zanyrnut, the drone does not fold down the wings, as the majority of existing analogues.

Span drone wings is 150 centimeters and the length of the drone equals 140 centimeters. Propeller in the bow of the aircraft allows drone to navigate without problems both in water and in the air. As one of the developers of William Stewart said,

"EagleRay can increase battery life by using solar energy. It can examine underwater fauna from the air, and in their natural habitat. During EagleRay flight can move freely, just like any other similar devices. In water, the drone uses sonar sensors and to move. If you are looking for something with sonar, Eagleray can arrive at a place down under the water to get the data, and to fly to the new mission. "

Now experts want to change the size of the drone, and improve controller for controlling the drone. See the drone in action, you can in the video below, and discuss the news itself - Telegram in our chat.