u-boat worx 'super sub' beats dolphins & sharks in underwater racing

U-boat worx ‘super sub’ gets a boost

Last time, designboom reported the variations of U-Boat Worx including its submersibles Nexus, Nemo, and Cruise. Now, U-Boat Worx re-unveils its Super Sub water vehicle and describes it as faster than the top cruising speed of a bottlenose dolphin, and the design team means it.

The redesigned watercraft glides underwater at a knot of 10 (or around 18 kilometers per hour), which, as the company claims, is 7 knots faster than the average submersible. It also helps that the hydrodynamic sub is shaped with a long tail and a pair of fins on the side, making it look like a shark on the hunt. When sharks get hungry, they scramble for food. That’s how U-Boat Worx’s Super Sub functions now.

images courtesy of U-Boat Worx

Tech buffs might appreciate that the Super Sub’s propulsion system is equipped with four powerful thrusters that deliver a total of 60 kW, allowing for steep 30-degree climbs and dives and a diving depth of up to 300 meters, all while maintaining a 360-degree view.

Riders can enjoy gliding behind sea turtles, cruising alongside sharks, and even diving and turning with the dolphins. If they want a racing competition, it looks like the Super Sub will claim the first spot (sorry dolphins, not today).

side view

Full-immersion with unobstructed views

U-Boat Worx details its Super Sub as more than a ticket to an underwater theatre. ‘It’s a backstage VIP pass that immerses guests in the heart of the action,’ the design team writes on its site, and by that, they mean the heart of the ocean. The clear fully acrylic pressure hull alone at the front of the submersible provides unobstructed views of the sea in every direction, unimpeded by ballast tanks, batteries, and other components.

Those who have been waiting all their lives to experience maneuvering a submersible just like how they do it in video games have just made their dreams come true. U-Boat Worx adds SHARC Controller that looks like a joystick in arcade games to make sure the hydrofoils operate well with the thruster systems.

unobstructed views from the clear hull

Safety is also on U-Boat Worx’s mind. The cockpit has an automatic maximum-depth reminder to prevent the riders from having too much fun and sinking deep into the seabed with no chance of returning to the surface. The feature will lift the sub until it reaches the maximum depth.

Speaking of the lowest level the submarine could dive, Super Sub also has an auto-depth feature that allows the watercraft to hold its current depth steady and at bay. This function forms part of one of the other intelligent pilot assistance features that U-Boat Worx has in store for the riders.

the hydrofoils direct the flow of the thrust

Sea trials are underway

U-Boat Worx CEO Bert Houtman comments on its news release that the team is very excited with the new design and development. ‘It’s something we have been working hard on, and now to have the most flow-dynamic submersible possible, we couldn’t be more pleased. We are confident that our clients will feel the same,’ he shares.

The Super Sub was introduced in 2021 as U-Boat Worx’ fastest and most maneuverable design, delivering a dynamic dive experience and the ability to deal with strong currents. The submersible has been sold to its first owner and U-Boat Worx is executing sea trials in Spring 2023.

spring sea trials next year are underway