Marine

Where's your jetpack? It's underwater

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The Underwater Jet Pack is designed to let users perform underwater acrobatics using forearm thrusters
Fitting the Underwater Jet Pack prototype
An envisioned full Underwater Jet Pack suit
One of the forearm thrusters
The Underwater Jet Pack is designed to let users perform underwater acrobatics using forearm thrusters
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Who wouldn't like to fly around underwater? You can already sort of do so using devices such as the SeaBob, although you're still basically just "along for the ride." If SCP Marine Innovations' Underwater Jet Pack reaches production, however, it looks like it should provide an experience much closer to that of being Aquaman.

The current functioning prototype incorporates two forearm-worn marine thrusters, that are powered by a hard-wired lithium-ion battery pack worn on the abdomen. By holding their arms out in front of themselves and then angling them one way or another, users are able to steer by thrust vectoring. A hand-held control unit is used to adjust speed.

SCP founders Simon and Chris Parke are now trying to raise funds for commercial development of the system, on the ShareIn crowdsourcing site. They hope to have the Underwater Jet Pack available for purchase next year, at an estimated price of £3,500 (US$5,700).

The prototype can be seen in use (albeit sped up in editing) in the video below.

Source: ShareIn

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5 comments
maak
Nearly $6,000 dollars for a couple small thrusters and a battery?
Steve Helmuth
Where will I were my scuba tanks if the battery pack is on my back. And are you serious?? $5700 for this when I can buy a Sea Doo for $400-$500!!
christopher
Or get working ones for your legs: http://www.patriot3.com/maritime-products1/jetboots
Simon Parke
We often see people making price comparisons with Sea-Doo seascooters, or comments about how easy it must be to throw together a couple of thrusters and a battery.
The Sea-Doo seascooters are great products and have been instrumental in creating a leisure marine propulsion market, but we're bringing something different to the consumer market.

Chris Fotis
If the battery runs dead or malfunctions do you sink?