Prototype of underwater exploration drone "Turtle" with LMB technology

Project title: Prototype of underwater exploration drone "Turtle" with LMB technology

Agreement number: SKN/SP/602340/2024

Project implementation period: 07.06.2024 - 07.06.2025

Principal Investigator: dr inż. Przemysław Filipek

Project value: 70 000,00 PLN

Funds granted for Lublin University of Technology: 70 000,00 PLN

Abstract: The subject of the project is the design and construction of a prototype water-land drone “Turtle”. It will be a mechatronic device that will allow the operator to remotely explore bodies of water, perform various works underwater (using the front gripper) and move on land. The turtle will have a color camera, a twin-motor LMB turbine drive, lighting, a grapple and wireless communication with the operator. Performing underwater and water-land tasks will enable the drone to be used in various types of services (police, military, special services, naturalists, etc.). The tasks performed by the drone include underwater reconnaissance, exploration of the bottom and search for various objects, exploration of wrecks, performance of underwater tasks (e.g., inspection of the condition of waterways, inspection of the condition of a boat's hull), observation of underwater nature, realization of underwater research (e.g., measurement of water temperature at various depths, localization of schools of fish, animals and plants), removal of contaminants, etc. The innovation of this solution will be the use of two single-phase LMB turbine engines for the drone's propulsion, which, integrated with the “Turtle's” paws, will also perform the function of crawling on land. It is intended that the “Turtle” will be able to crawl to a depth of at least 10 meters and the range of remote operation is a minimum of 1 km. The drone will be able to operate in both fresh and saltwater.

The main objective of the project is to carry out development work to create and upgrade the LMB technology used in the technical solution and to promote the results of this work. This innovative Polish technology was created 5 years ago and its application in various areas of technology is being researched and tested. The design and implementation of the prototype underwater drone “Turtle” is another attempt to apply, develop and use this technology in the field of underwater drones.