Hyper Horizon builds small autonomous submarines that map the sea without a pilot
The Bengaluru-based company makes compact underwater vehicles for survey and surveillance, designed to be cheap enough to deploy in numbers rather than one at a time.
Hyper Horizon, a Bengaluru-based company founded in 2022 by Vishaal M Kabilan and Sibi M, has developed small autonomous submarines capable of mapping the ocean floor without a pilot or surface connection. These Endurance-class underwater vehicles, weighing less than 20 kilograms and measuring under 20 kg, are designed to be lightweight enough to be carried by a small boat.
The vehicle is equipped with a comprehensive suite of sensors, including a Doppler velocity log to determine its speed over the seabed, side scan sonar for imaging the bottom, and an ultra-short baseline system that allows operators to track the submarine acoustically from the surface. When the vehicle surfaces, radio and wireless links enable communication over greater distances.
Hyper Horizon's approach to underwater autonomy differs from existing systems, which are typically expensive, complex, and require specialized crew and support vessels. By producing affordable, modular vehicles, Hyper Horizon aims to democratize underwater exploration and mapping, enabling routine use in various contexts.
The company's technology has been tested in challenging conditions, such as a high-altitude lake in Ladakh, where extreme cold and thin air have tested the vehicle's electronics and navigation systems. Hyper Horizon's focus on autonomy, control algorithms, and modular architecture positions the company to contribute to India's efforts to develop and manufacture advanced underwater systems domestically.
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