Jakarta, INTI – A group of applied industrial electronics students at Aalborg University, Denmark, have developed and successfully tested a 3D-printed hybrid drone capable of taking off, diving underwater, maneuvering beneath the surface, and then launching back into the air all within seconds. Their achievement was documented in a two-and-a-half-minute video that has recently gained attention.
The prototype, created as part of their bachelor’s thesis, demonstrates a surprisingly seamless air-to-water transition that even caught the creators off guard.
Variable-Pitch Propellers as the Key
At the heart of the drone’s capabilities is a variable-pitch propeller system, which allows the blades to rotate at different angles for air and underwater movement. The pitch is higher during flight to generate lift and lower in water to reduce drag and improve efficiency. The students explained that the propellers can even produce negative thrust for more precise underwater navigation.
"The development of this air-to-water drone marks a major step forward in the world of robotics, proving that a single vehicle can operate efficiently in both environments thanks to the use of variable-pitch propellers," said the students.
In the trial footage, the drone is shown taking off next to a large pool, diving, swimming briefly, and then shooting back into the air vertically repeating the routine multiple times from different camera angles. The researchers praised the propeller system for enabling such rapid and repeatable transitions.
Designed and Built Over Two Semesters
The team modeled the drone, designed the propeller mechanisms, and fabricated the components using 3D printers and CNC (Computer Numerical Control) machines. They also developed custom software to program the drone before entering the testing phase.
According to a LinkedIn post by Associate Professor Petar Durdevic, who leads the Drone and Offshore Robotics group at Aalborg University, the full design-build-test cycle took place over two academic semesters.
Although the hybrid platform is currently a single prototype, the process has demonstrated that with accessible equipment additive manufacturing, CNC machining, and custom coding a complex dual-environment vehicle can be developed successfully.
Not the First of Its Kind, But a Polished Demonstration
Hybrid drones are not entirely new. According to Live Science, Rutgers University researchers launched a similar air-water prototype in 2015, while Chinese scientists showcased comparable transition maneuvers in 2023.
What sets Aalborg's project apart is the apparent smoothness of its transitions, captured in a single continuous shot and achieved using a straightforward propeller-based solution rather than more complex mechanical reconfiguration.
Future Applications in Sight
As for practical use cases, the students envision wide-ranging benefits. “Some applications include military operations, ship inspections, ocean exploration, and search and rescue missions,” they explained.
Although the current drone is still a proof of concept, these potential uses highlight why a low-cost, easily manufactured platform capable of conducting surveillance both above and below the water surface could gain serious interest.
For now, the drone stands as a compelling student-led demonstration of how a single compact vehicle can navigate two vastly different fluid environments with minimal disruption taking off, diving, and resurfacing all on command.
Conclusion:
The hybrid drone developed by students at Aalborg University is a remarkable example of how academic innovation can push the boundaries of robotics. With its ability to fly, dive, swim underwater, and return to the air within seconds, this 3D-printed prototype showcases the power of variable-pitch propellers and creative engineering. Though still in the prototype stage, its success opens up promising possibilities for use in defense, marine exploration, and emergency missions.
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