The Fifish V-Evo is the First All-in-One Underwater Drone to Shoot 4K 60FPS
QYSEA has announced the Fifish V-Evo underwater drone. Claimed to be the first all-in-one system to feature a 4K 60 FPS camera with 360-degree omnidirectional movement, the V-Evo can navigate below the waves for up to four hours.
While aerial drones are extremely commonplace, there are not many companies that make underwater drones, likely due to the additional complexity and challenges that come from the sub-surface environments. Also, unlike aerial drones, underwater drones must have a physical tether to the surface since wireless signals don’t transmit easily through the water.
The V-Evo is advertised as the easiest way to capture slow-motion footage under the waves via its 166-degree ultra-wide camera that can be operated using a first-person-view (FPV) headset. While underwater 4K slow motion footage is possible with other units — the Boxfish Luna can even shoot 8K — the V-Evo is touted as the first to bring that capability to an all-in-one, off-the-shelf solution.
The camera is equipped with a real-time color balancing algorithm and image enhancer that makes it easier to see the underwater world in “true vivid color,” with the promise of widened dynamic range and noise reduction.
Open water, especially the ocean, is often not super clear, so in addition to the image enhancement system onboard the V-Evo, QYSEA equipped the drone with what it calls “adaptive AI sea plankton filtering” which uses artificial intelligence (AI) to filter out white marine flakes that are caused by floating plankton and bacteria, increasing the visible clarity and smoothness of footage.
To help see in the depths, the V-Evo is also equipped with a set of dual LEDs which have a combined power of 5,000 lumens (balanced at 5,500K).
Footage is captured to an onboard microSD card, but the company also sells an HDMI recorder box that allows footage to be captured above the surface directly out of the controller.
QYSEA does not specify the camera system inside of the V-Evo, but it is different from the other systems the company produces. The Fifish V6 Plus, for example, can also capture 4K and Full HD slow motion footage, but can’t do slow motion in 4K.
“Suitable for both leisure and professional use, the compact FIFISH V-EVO is ideal for filmmaking, deep-sea exploration, marine monitoring, scuba diving excursions, and more,” the company claims.
The V-Evo is capable of full 360-degree maneuverability underwater as well thanks to its six motorized fins. The drone can perform acrobatic maneuvers as well as maintain its position even in moving waters. The company advertises this feature as allowing filmmakers to produce barrel rolls and transitions underwater as if they were controlling a gimbal on land. Additionally, objects can be tracked precisely and the V-Evo can lock itself in position despite any form of subsea interference.
QYSEA’s V-Evo is also capable of being controlled through a connection with a virtual reality (VR) FPV headset, which connects with the Fifish app. When connected, not only can pilots feel what it is like to dive underwater, but the drone can even be controlled by head movements. The Fifish V-Evo can also be equipped with a claw arm which can be used to retrieve objects from underwater.
The QYSEA Fifish V-Evo is available for $1,299. The optional robotic arm costs an extra $300.
Image credits: QYSEA
