THE SMART UNDERWATER DRONE
Discover the collaboration between EFI Automotive Service and the French start-up Delair Marine.
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the project
THE SUPPORTED START-UP
Seasam is the first compact underwater system capable of autonomous operations. Designed for professional use, it can be used to locate and track specific targets or perform complex operations such as ship hull inspection or leak detection. Delair Marine also offers a second solution for individuals with its drone, iBubble EVO. Offering a unique experience, it is intended for individuals, diving centers or yachting enthusiasts.
Learn more about SeasamTHE PROJECT AND ITS CONTEXT
The story of Delair Marine begins with a group of passionate divers and drone experts who, during their explorations, had the idea to design an autonomous underwater drone. To turn this idea into reality, they recruited a multidisciplinary team of embedded software developers, mechatronics experts, innovative marketers… and of course, EFI Automotive Service, through Axandus – the EFI Automotive Group’s industrial accelerator.
This first offer, aimed at recreational diving and yachting, was successful and the company has now extended its range with a solution aimed at professionals and scientists. In addition, it is now possible to collect and analyse the data gathered by these drones through Delair Marine’s Cloud service. Possible applications range from coastal infrastructure analysis to ship hull inspection and search and rescue operations.
Formerly Notilo Plus, the start-up was acquired at the end of 2022 by Delair – an international provider of high-performance drone-based solutions – and renamed Delair Marine.
This trusting partnership ensures the impeccable quality of our products, and enables us to be reactive in the event of modifications to the production process of our “Made in France” drone.
The project in video
PROJECT MILESTONES
April 2018
INITIAL CONTACT PHASE
The start-up contacted our teams through the Group’s industrial accelerator – Axandus.
September 2018
REDESIGN AND QUALIFICATION OF THE PRODUCT
The product requires some design adjustments in order to be industrialized more easily.
September 2018 – March 2019
STUDY AND DEVELOPMENT OF THE PRODUCTION LINE
The teams design and operate an assembly line of 120 m² common to the different products of the start-up.
April 2019
START OF PRODUCTION PHASE 1
After a conclusive test phase, the teams officially launch the production of the underwater drone, iBubble.
January 2020
START OF PRODUCTION PHASE 2
After adapting the line, the teams officially launch the production of the underwater drone, Seasam in addition to iBubble.
January 2020 – October 2022
MAINTAINING THE PRODUCTION
The teams maintain a close relationship with those of the start-up and are currently working on projects that will see the light of day soon, in parallel with ongoing production.
November 2022
LOWER PRODUCTION VOLUMES
In recent months, production volumes have fallen due to difficulties encountered by the start-up.
January 2023
DELAIR ACQUIRES THE START-UP
After financial difficulties, the company was officially bought out in early 2023. This led to a name change, with Notilo Plus becoming Delair Marine.
March 2023
MAINTAINING THE PARTNERSHIP WITH OUR COMPANY
Our teams and those of Delair Marine met to discuss the partnership. By mutual agreement, it was decided that this collaboration would continue.
January 2024
DEVELOPMENT OF A NEW EVOLUTION
Delair's teams have been busy with drone production (due to the Russian-Ukrainian conflict), but at the beginning of the year, an evolution of Seasam was born: Hull Scan.
May 2024
NEW ORDERS IN SIGHT
Recent developments are beginning to attract interest, and a new order has been placed.
OUR ADDED VALUE
Within the framework of this project, one of the first of EFI Automotive Service, in the accompaniment of innovative companies, we were able to propose to Delair Marine these various know-how:
- Standardization of the product, particularly in terms of screwing, in order to facilitate assembly operations and limit the risk of error
- Setting up a flexible multi-reference island: 140 m² dedicated to the production of these underwater drones, acquisition of new skills for our teams via this project (multi-layer electronic assembly, handling of aspect parts, waterproofing, etc.)
- Management of deliveries and after-sales service: implementation of the entire supply chain up to direct shipment to customers (individuals and professionals worldwide – including customs management)
KEY FIGURES OF THE PROJECT
440
iBubble EVO manufactured
90
Seasam manufactured
120 m²
of assembly line dedicated to this project
3
specially trained operators on the production line
100 m
of maximum depth
4
hours of underwater autonomy
7
number of engines equipping the drones
2
solutions proposed by the start-up Delair Marine
KEY FIGURES OF THE PROJECT
440
iBubble EVO manufactured
90
Seasam manufactured
120 m²
of assembly line dedicated to this project
3
specially trained operators on the production line
100 m
of maximum depth
4
hours of underwater autonomy
7
number of engines equipping the drones
2
solutions proposed by the start-up Delair Marine
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Hoverseen
THE AUTOMATIC VIDEO SURVEILLANCE DRONE
Discover the collaboration between EFI Automotive Service and the French start-up Hoverseen.
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the project
THE SUPPORTED START-UP
Hoverseen has developed a drone-based video surveillance system, which allows interventions in sensitive areas 24/7. This system’s main added value lies in its complete automation, as the drone can take off alone, follow a predefined route and then land on its station to be recharged. In addition, the drone’s control and recharging base is equipped with weather sensors to determine whether the flight can take place. It is also very durable and is designed for mobile use.
Learn more about HoverseenThe project and its context
Aerial drones have many advantages: they are light, fast, always available and their prices have become quite reasonable. They therefore make it possible to observe an area at any time, and without the need to put a physical person at risk. Applications can be surveillance rounds, land use analysis or monitoring of delivery movements…
Until now, these drones have exclusively been remote controlled, sometimes through a particularly complex interface. Hoverseen’s proposed solution integrates a control and recharging base that allows the pre-programming of flight plans, which the drone will then carry out in complete autonomy. In addition, it is equipped with a weather station that can determine whether the flight conditions are favourable. The drone can also take off and land without human intervention.
The project in video
Project milestones
July 2021
INITIAL CONTACT PHASE
The start-up contacted our teams through the Group’s industrial accelerator – Axandus.
September 2021
TEAM TRAINING AT HOVERSEEN
The teams visited the client for a week to learn about the product and acquire the necessary knowledge.
October 2021 – April 2022
PROTOTYPING PRODUCTION
The teams start the design phase of the prototypes for the start-up.
July 2022
DEVELOPMENT OF A NEW VERSION
Our teams worked on tropicalising the base. A cooling system and a heating structure have been developed to optimise the product's operation in extreme temperatures.
November 2022
IMPROVING PRODUCT DESIGN
Plans to improve the design were being discussed, but the client needed additional capital and was in the process of raising funds via a fundraising campaign.
November 2022 – Now
MINI-SERIES ASSEMBLY PHASE
The start-up's CEO has been canvassing sales for over a year. Our teams regularly produce systems so that he can demonstrate them and win contracts.
Our added value
Within the framework of this project, one of EFI Automotive Service’s first in the support of innovative companies, we were able to offer Hoverseen our expertise in the following areas:
- Design and production of prototypes: on this occasion, our teams managed to reduce the base’s assembly time from 5 to 3 days
- Provision of a 30 m² pressurised room allowing the teams to work in a controlled environment
KEY FIGURES OF THE PROJECT
50 kg
weight of the control and recharging base of the drone
50 km/h
maximum speed of the drone
25 min
maximum autonomy
585 gr
weight of the drone
KEY FIGURES OF THE PROJECT
50 kg
weight of the control and recharging base of the drone
50 km/h
maximum speed of the drone
25 min
maximum autonomy
585 gr
weight of the drone
Are you interested in our support?
Do you have a project?
