Italian start-up to begin production of “world’s first” submersible hydrofoil

Italian startup iSpace2o, backed by an Invitalia loan, has announced it’s starting fabrication on the first hull for its Deepseaker DS1 submersible hydrofoil. The machine will rise out of the water to hydrofoil at speeds up to 23kt (26mph) or dive as deep as 50m (164ft) underwater. The company claims it’s the first vessel of its kind, there being no other fast boat that’s also capable of diving. It’s also fully electric, powered by quiet ‘Deepspeed’ jets, designed and built by Sealence. Electric boats tend to suffer from severe range restriction, but foiling speed will lift its hull out of the water, reducing drag greatly and boosting effective range. iSpace2o hasn’t yet specified battery size or range estimates, but notes that it’s considering a longer-range alternative hydrogen powertrain.

Another key innovation, says the company, comes via a partnership with Like-A-Fish, which will supply the Deepseaker with “almost unlimited oxygen” for the DS1’s four-person cabin. This technology uses an electric centrifuge to place seawater under low pressure, leaching out dissolved oxygen to feed back into the sub’s breathing system. Consuming about 150W of power per person, this device had allegedly been prototyped up to a certain point some 12 years ago.

iSpace2o promises ‘Tesla-style’ AI navigation, inflatable airbags to bring the craft to the surface in an emergency, an AR-inspired heads-up display, built-in GoPros, hydrophones for underwater audio, and a double-shell structure that can keep the cabin protected even when a collision compromises the exterior. Giancarlo Zema group will put the finishing touches on the design, and F1 H20 team Blaze Performance will “take care of the construction of the hull and the development of the vehicle.”

Source: IBI News