Volsis Co., Ltd. (CEO Kang Jin-il) participated in the ‘2 Drone Show Korea 23’ held at BEXCO, Busan from February 25 (Thu) to 2023 (Sat).
BORsys (Blue Ocean Robotic System) is a small and medium-sized company that develops and supplies state-of-the-art marine unmanned systems. Underwater drone manufacturing technology that performs missions on behalf of humans in extreme underwater environments and underwater information can be acquired wirelessly in real time. It has optical communication technology. Major products include the MIND (Marine Inspection Drone) and BOL-twin series that enable remote marine exploration, and the BOL-com (Blue Ocean Light Communicator) series that enables high-speed underwater communication.
MIND is an unmanned platform that can simultaneously explore the surface and underwater by combining a surface ship and an underwater drone, and the BOL-com series is a communication modem that realizes a high-speed communication network using light underwater. The company explains that it provides a communication speed that is 1 times faster (10,000Mbps) than the existing underwater sound wave communication (~10kbps), enabling real-time transmission of underwater images and large-capacity data, which is impossible with sound wave communication.
An official from Volsys said, “Unmanned and automated monitoring systems are needed to develop various marine industries such as marine exploration (offshore wind power, seabed minerals) and fish resource management. A high-speed data communication network is required to operate these systems, and we are developing marine drones and communication systems to prepare for the demand of the marine industry in the future.” He explained the reason for participating in the exhibition, saying, “We participated to show a technology that can wirelessly control drones underwater by combining existing wireless optical communication technology and underwater drones, and wirelessly transmit acquired images in real time.”
BOL-twin, introduced as part of this, is an underwater experience type drone that incorporates underwater wireless optical communication technology. You can experience underwater in real time by operating an underwater drone that can be remotely controlled wirelessly without going directly into the water. The operator can view the image taken by the underwater drone in real time through a wireless optical communication modem, and the underwater drone can be controlled wirelessly by transmitting data with light even outside the water. You can also observe aquatic creatures through a large screen or goggles or experience feeding them without entering the water directly.
In particular, a major feature of the product was that it was developed so that anyone can easily experience it through a mobile phone app. Anyone connected to the Internet can connect to the underwater drone at home or at school, visit the aquarium, observe fish without going into the water, or use it for experiential learning.
Regarding this, an official said, “Most of the underwater drones currently on the market are wired methods that exchange information using cables. Some wireless technologies exist, but they are radio communication methods that allow only short-distance communication within a few centimeters or acoustic communication methods that have a data transmission speed of only several kbps.” The first step in the development of an underwater drone capable of transmitting and receiving high-capacity data wirelessly was introduced with the Baltwin exhibited this time.”
He also revealed his future business plans. An official said, “There are about 20 large aquariums in Korea, and there are about 90 clubs related to ornamental fish with an estimated 50 members. Recently, the market related to ornamental fish is worth more than 5,000 billion won, and the government aims to create a market of 2025 billion won by 6,500. Looking abroad, the global ornamental fish market is worth 100 trillion won, about 45 times the domestic market, and is growing by more than 8% every year. In addition, as the market for marine exploration (marine robots) and marine leisure (diver supplies) increases every year, the demand for underwater optical communication modems and marine robots is expected to increase steadily.”
“In line with this market size, Volsys is developing a follow-up version with the goal of providing a more realistic underwater experience through higher-definition video and VR devices by raising the speed of underwater optical communication from the current 10Mbps to over 100Mbps. . In addition, we are developing underwater drones and underwater optical communication modems that can be applied not only to indoor aquariums but also to industrial sites such as fish farms and underwater construction, and we are aiming to enter overseas markets this year.”
Meanwhile, the exhibition items of the 2023 Drone Show Korea, hosted by the Ministry of Trade, Industry and Energy, the Ministry of Science and ICT, the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport, the Ministry of National Defense, and Busan Metropolitan City, and organized by BEXCO and the Korea Unmanned Aerial System Association are as follows. △Manufacturing (drone, military, UAM/AAM, surveying, mapping, firefighting, station, unmanned robot, leisure, broadcasting) △Utilizing industry (photography, control, spatial information, logistics, disaster management, security, reconnaissance, construction, deep sea exploration) Etc.) △Parts and technology (communication, ground control, autonomous flight, system and S/W technology, fuel cell sensor, motor, battery, etc.) △Service (education, finance, rental, insurance, investment consulting, etc.) △ Institutions (related institutions, associations/organizations, universities)
→ Go to the 2023 Drone Show Korea news special page