Products & Technology
Mobula node · Ocean-Bottom Flight Node
A next-generation self-navigating ocean-bottom node with self-localization, precise landing, and large-scale deployment. The node autonomously flies to its target, remains on the seabed for observation, then ascends and is recovered automatically after the mission, significantly reducing reliance on ROV deployment and retrieval.
Three Technical Highlights
Wireless Flight and Swarm Coordination
Cable-free autonomous deployment: Nodes use an onboard micro-propulsion system to fly underwater and land precisely after being released from the mother ship, enabling rapid wide-area array deployment without tether constraints.
Buoyancy Adjustment and Automatic Retrieval
Upon completion, the unit automatically lifts from the seabed using its smart release mechanism. The mother vessel then retrieves multiple units in a single batch, significantly reducing the risk of equipment loss and cable entanglement.
End-to-end closed loop from seismic source excitation to receivers
Supports air-gun source excitation. The array delivers high-fidelity, synchronized clock-triggered reception, completing the deep-sea seismic survey loop from source activation to data acquisition.
Seven Subsystems
Modular integrated design: each module can be independently maintained, replaced, and configured for oil and gas exploration, CCUS monitoring, scientific observation, and other scenarios.
| Module | Main Components | Function |
|---|---|---|
| Structure and Pressure-Resistant System | Pressure hull, sealing structure, impact-resistant enclosure, buoyancy components | Ensures long-term stable operation in 6,000-meter deep-water environments |
| Sensing and Data Acquisition System | Three-component seismometer, single-component hydrophone, low-power acquisition circuit, storage unit | Acquires four-component seismic and hydroacoustic data |
| Energy and Power Management | Low-temperature battery pack, power management board, low-power control strategy | Supports seabed-based continuous monitoring and autonomous recovery missions |
| Acoustic Communication and Positioning | USBL/LBL positioning interface, acoustic communication module, recovery beacon | Enables underwater positioning, status communication, and recovery assistance |
| Autonomous Control and Propulsion | Controller, attitude sensor, thrusters, navigation algorithms | Supports controlled descent, attitude adjustment, and landing-point correction |
| Release and Recovery System | Acoustic release, fuse/release mechanism, buoyancy ascent components | Enables autonomous ascent and recovery after seabed survey |
| Vessel-Side Coordination Software | Mission planning, status monitoring, data quality control, asset management | Supports batch node operations and data delivery |
Structure and Pressure-Resistant System
Pressure hull, sealing structure, impact-resistant enclosure, buoyancy components
Ensures long-term stable operation in 6,000-meter deep-water environments
Sensing and Data Acquisition System
Three-component seismometer, single-component hydrophone, low-power acquisition circuit, storage unit
Acquires four-component seismic and hydroacoustic data
Energy and Power Management
Low-temperature battery pack, power management board, low-power control strategy
Supports seabed-based continuous monitoring and autonomous recovery missions
Acoustic Communication and Positioning
USBL/LBL positioning interface, acoustic communication module, recovery beacon
Enables underwater positioning, status communication, and recovery assistance
Autonomous Control and Propulsion
Controller, attitude sensor, thrusters, navigation algorithms
Supports controlled descent, attitude adjustment, and landing-point correction
Release and Recovery System
Acoustic release, fuse/release mechanism, buoyancy ascent components
Enables autonomous ascent and recovery after seabed survey
Vessel-Side Coordination Software
Mission planning, status monitoring, data quality control, asset management
Supports batch node operations and data delivery
Product Features
Technical Specifications
Core specifications are listed below. Products can be customized to meet customer requirements.
| Physical Dimensions | 60 cm × 50 cm |
| Total Weight | 60 kg |
| Operating Depth | 6,000 m |
| Sensors | 3-component seismometer + 1-component hydrophone |
| Explore Mode | Autonomous underwater flight, seabed observation and recording, acoustic release and recovery |
| Propulsion | Propeller-driven, propeller diameter φ10.5 cm |
| Endurance | 45 days of continuous seabed observation |
| Navigation | Underwater USBL + LBL high-precision navigation with 5 m accuracy |
| Communication | Underwater acoustic communication, 8 kHz–16 kHz |
| Software | AI-NODE: Vessel-side AI coordination and deployment software; DeepSeaX seismic imaging software |
| Expandable Sensors | Physical oceanography (ADCP, CTD, etc.), geophysics (magnetic, electric, gravity), optical (fiber-optic DAS, cameras), and acoustic (Doppler, etc.) |
Physical Dimensions
60 cm × 50 cm
Total Weight
60 kg
Operating Depth
6,000 m
Sensors
3-component seismometer + 1-component hydrophone
Explore Mode
Autonomous underwater flight, seabed observation and recording, acoustic release and recovery
Propulsion
Propeller-driven, propeller diameter φ10.5 cm
Endurance
45 days of continuous seabed observation
Navigation
Underwater USBL + LBL high-precision navigation with 5 m accuracy
Communication
Underwater acoustic communication, 8 kHz–16 kHz
Software
AI-NODE: Vessel-side AI coordination and deployment software; DeepSeaX seismic imaging software
Expandable Sensors
Physical oceanography (ADCP, CTD, etc.), geophysics (magnetic, electric, gravity), optical (fiber-optic DAS, cameras), and acoustic (Doppler, etc.)
Core Technical Capabilities
Full-Chain Deep-Sea Sensor Technology
Proprietary high-sensitivity geophones, deep-sea hydrophones, and acoustic transducers, combined with low-power acquisition, pressure-resistant ceramic sealing, AI-driven control, and high-precision positioning technologies.
Differentiated Technology Path
With cable-free flight and swarm scheduling, plus buoyancy adjustment with automatic retrieval as breakthroughs, the company eliminates traditional deep-sea OBN exploration's reliance on ROVs. Principle validation is complete; engineering iteration is underway.
Top Team and Resources
The team includes PhDs and postdoctoral researchers from the University of Cambridge, the Chinese Academy of Sciences, and other institutions. It has established joint laboratories with Cambridge, NTU, and other universities to drive continuous innovation in core technologies.
Global Vision and Customer Responsiveness
With end-to-end expertise spanning equipment development, data acquisition, processing, and interpretation, we deliver integrated solutions—from survey design to data processing—tailored to your exploration goals and budget.
Three-Phase Development Roadmap
From equipment manufacturer to integrated service provider, then to a deep-sea data and intelligent decision platform.
Equipment Productization
Complete Mobula node's transition from engineering prototype to commercial mass production, achieve sea-trial validation and secure initial commercial orders, focusing on equipment sales and software licensing.
Integrated Services
Shift from selling equipment to selling services. Deliver end-to-end exploration services—from survey design and offshore operations to data acquisition and processing—to build a recurring revenue stream.
Data Platform
Build deep-sea exploration data assets and a platform ecosystem to provide data storage, processing, AI-driven interpretation, and decision-support services. Contribute to industry standard development.