Skip to main content

iBubble, an autonomous drone camera, takes users under the sea

First came the camera. Then the underwater camera. And now, there’s the diving drone camera. As tech continues to reach new heights, we’re exploring new depths of the seas thanks to the iBubble, the gadget that wants to be your autonomous underwater camera.

Meant for the diving enthusiast who’d rather see the underwater world through his or her goggles without being burdened by an extra lens, the iBubble team notes that filming beneath the surface of the world’s oceans can be a cumbersome process that “limits your freedom underwater.” But with iBubble, you won’t have to sacrifice your autonomy for a great shot — instead, this “intelligent, user-friendly, and completely autonomous diving drone” allows you to take your GoPro where it’s never gone before, and control it all from your wrist with a compatible bracelet.

Related: Want to capture your underwater adventures? Check out these underwater cams here

Boasting a host of practical, helpful features, the iBubble’s hydrodynamic design means that it’ll travel well underwater, withstanding currents of up to 3 knots. With a maximum depth of 60 meters, you’ll actually be able to take your GoPro (it’s compatible with the Hero 3 and up) pretty far. Whenever you want to set it free and take shots of its own, the iBubble can stray up to 25 meters away from you.

And with enhanced image filtering, an integrated obstacle-avoidance system based on sonar technology, and a moving-subject tracking switch, the iBubble seems ideal to capture a wide variety of underwater shots and subjects. When it’s out of juice, just recharge and replace its battery pack. But what happens if the iBubble loses power or signal during a dive? Never fear — it’s not lost to the watery depths. Rather, it’ll just resurface, allowing you to retrieve your diving camera at will.

The iBubble will even do some exploring on your behalf, thanks to its remote control option that lets you scout certain areas before taking a dive yourself. Just send it on its merry way and watch all the action from above.

Already, the iBubble has raised nearly $119,000 on Indiegogo, surpassing its initial goal of $75,000. If you’re looking to get in on the action, you can put down a $699 deposit on the iBubble (you’ll still owe another $799 before shipping). And while this may seem like a steep price, iBubble says it’ll be well worth it for explorers and adventurers of the marine world.

Editors' Recommendations

Lulu Chang
Former Digital Trends Contributor
Fascinated by the effects of technology on human interaction, Lulu believes that if her parents can use your new app…
7 cameras that revolutionized photography and changed how we take pictures
best tech of 2019 camera sony a7r iv

From the first camera obscura to 35mm film to the modern cameraphone, the tools photographers use have come a long way. How we understand and use imaging technology keeps advancing, and manufacturers are working hard to ensure they continue to create tools that meet the evolving needs of photographers. New cameras are released constantly, but most offer minor improvements and fail to leave a mark on history.

Here is a look at seven cameras that did the opposite, that revolutionized the industry and are still talked about today for their contributions to the art and craft of photography.
Leica I -- 1925
Copyright: Hubertl, Papperlapap, Markus G. Klötzer, Namrood, XanonymusX und Thomas Fries. Wikimedia Commons. CC BY-SA 4.0 Image used with permission by copyright holder

Read more
Pixel 4 XL vs. iPhone 11 Pro vs. Note 10 Plus vs. OnePlus 7T: Camera shootout
note 10 plus,oneplus 7t, pixel 4 xl, iphone 11 pro

It has become harder than ever before to say which smartphone delivers the best camera. There are numerous factors to consider, but ultimately this is great news for consumers, as it means we can happily capture the important moments in our lives and expect strong results.

But some phones do edge out over others. Let's put together the new Google Pixel 4 XL, the iPhone 11 Pro Max, the Samsung Galaxy Note 10 Plus, and the OnePlus 7T for a four-way camera shootout to narrow down the best option currently available.
Camera specs
First, a quick note on specifications. The Pixel 4 XL has a 12.2-megapixel lens (f/1.7) paired with a 16-megapixel telephoto lens offering 2x optical zoom (f/2.4), and both have optical image stabilization (OIS). It has an 8-megapixel (f/2.0) front camera.

Read more
Apple iPhone 11 Pro camera guide: Take better photos with these tips
How to triple your photo fun with the iPhone 11 Pro's new three-lens camera
apple iphone 11 pro camera guide back

The iPhone 11 Pro is currently the best camera smartphone you can buy. Apple really took the fight to Google with its latest offering, showing it can still make incredible cameras to compete with the Pixel 3, the Huawei P30 Pro, and the many other great camera phones available today.

If you’ve purchased an iPhone 11 Pro, or are about to, here’s our guide to making the best use of the camera. Don’t forget to read our review of the iPhone 11 Pro, the iPhone 11, and the iPhone 11 Pro Max if you haven’t quite made up your mind about which new iPhone to buy.
Camera

Read more