Products & Technology
Manta Node · Underwater Flying Node
Next-Gen Self-Navigating Ocean-Bottom Node: Enables autonomous positioning, precise seabed deployment, and scalable operations. Nodes autonomously fly to target locations for observation, then surface independently for recovery after mission completion—significantly reducing reliance on ROVs for deployment and retrieval.
Three Key Technical Highlights
Cable-Free Flight and Swarm Scheduling
The node autonomously flies using a bio-inspired micro-drive system and hydrodynamic design. It supports bulk deployment from a moving mother ship, enabling rapid wide-area array deployment without tether constraints.
Buoyancy adjustment and automatic retrieval
Upon task completion, the unit automatically ascends from the seabed via its intelligent buoyancy system. 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 for source and receiver
Supports air gun source excitation mode. The array provides high-fidelity, synchronized clock-triggered reception, forming a complete deep-sea seismic survey loop from source excitation to data acquisition.
Seven Subsystems
Modular integrated design: modules can be independently maintained and replaced, with configurable adjustments for scenarios such as oil and gas exploration, CCUS monitoring, and scientific observation.
| Module | Main Components | Core Function |
|---|---|---|
| Structure and Pressure System | Pressure hull, sealing structure, impact-resistant casing, buoyancy module | Ensures long-term stable operation in deep-water environments up to 6000 meters. |
| Sensing and Acquisition System | 3-component seismometer, 1-component hydrophone, low-power acquisition circuit, storage unit | Retrieve four-component seismic/acoustic data |
| Power & Energy Management | Low-temperature battery pack, power management board, low-power control strategy | Supports seabed sit-down continuous observation and autonomous recovery missions. |
| Acoustic Communication and Positioning | USBL/LBL positioning interface, acoustic communication module, recovery beacon | Achieve underwater positioning, status communication, and recovery assistance |
| Autonomous Control and Propulsion | Controller, attitude sensor, thruster, navigation algorithm | Support controlled descent, attitude adjustment, and landing correction |
| Release and Recovery System | Acoustic release, fuse/decoupling mechanism, buoyancy lift assembly | Achieve autonomous ascent and recovery after seafloor observation completion |
| Ship-side collaborative software | Task Planning, Status Monitoring, Data Quality Control, Asset Management | Support batch node jobs and data delivery |
Structural and Pressure Systems
Pressure hull, sealing structure, shock-resistant housing, buoyancy module
Ensure long-term stable operation in deepwater environments at the 6000-meter level.
Sensor and Data Acquisition System
Three-component seismometer, single-component hydrophone, low-power acquisition circuit, storage unit
Retrieve four-component seismic/acoustic data
Power & Energy Management
Low-temperature battery pack, power management board, low-power control strategy
Supports seabed sit-down continuous observation and autonomous recovery missions.
Acoustic Communication and Positioning
USBL/LBL positioning interface, acoustic communication module, recovery beacon
Achieve underwater positioning, status communication, and recovery assistance
Autonomous Control and Propulsion
Controller, attitude sensor, thruster, navigation algorithm
Support controlled descent, attitude adjustment, and landing correction
Release and Recovery System
Acoustic release, fuse/decoupling mechanism, buoyancy lift assembly
Autonomous ascent and recovery after seabed observation
Ship-Shore Collaborative Software
Task Planning, Status Monitoring, Data Quality Control, Asset Management
Support batch node jobs and data delivery
Product Feature List
Technical Specifications
Core parameters are customizable based on customer requirements.
| Physical Dimensions | 6 cm × 5 cm |
| Total Weight | 60 kg |
| Working depth | 6000 m |
| Sensor | 3-component seismometer + 1-component hydrophone |
| Detection Method | Underwater autonomous flight, seabed-based observation recording, and acoustic release recovery |
| Delivery Method | Propeller-driven, propeller diameter φ10.5cm |
| Battery Life | Bottom-fixed continuous observation for 45 days |
| Navigation | Underwater USBL + LBL high-precision navigation with 5 m accuracy. |
| Communication | Underwater acoustic communication, frequency 8 kHz–16 kHz |
| Software | AI-NODE Shipboard AI Collaborative Control Deployment Software, DeepSeaX Seismic Imaging Software |
| Scalable Sensors | Physical Oceanography (ADCP, CTD, etc.), Geophysics (magnetic, electrical, gravity), Optics (fiber-optic DAS, cameras), Acoustics (Doppler instruments, etc.) |
Physical Dimensions
6 cm × 5 cm
Total Weight
60 kg
Working Depth
6000 m
Sensor
3-component seismometer + 1-component hydrophone
Detection Method
Autonomous underwater flight, seabed-based observation and recording, acoustic release recovery
Advancement Method
Propeller-driven, propeller diameter φ10.5cm
Battery life
Bottom-based continuous observation for 45 days
Navigation
Underwater USBL + LBL high-precision navigation, accuracy 5 m
Communication
Underwater acoustic communication, frequency 8kHz-16kHz
Software
AI-NODE Onboard AI Collaborative Control Deployment Software, DeepSeaX Seismic Imaging Software
Expandable Sensors
Physical Oceanography (ADCP, CTD, etc.), Geophysics (magnetic, electrical, gravity), Optics (fiber-optic DAS, cameras), Acoustics (Doppler instruments, etc.)
Core Technical Capabilities
Full-chain technology for deep-sea sensors
Proprietary high-sensitivity geophones, deep-sea hydrophones, and acoustic transducers, coupled with low-power data acquisition, pressure-resistant ceramic sealing, AI-driven control, and high-precision positioning technologies.
Differentiated Technical Approach
Pioneering cable-free flight and swarm scheduling, along with buoyancy control and automated recovery, we are eliminating traditional deep-sea OBN exploration's reliance on ROVs. We have completed proof-of-concept validation and entered the engineering iteration phase.
Top-tier Team & Resources
Our team comprises PhDs and postdocs from the University of Cambridge, the Chinese Academy of Sciences, and other leading institutions. We also co-establish joint laboratories with universities such as Cambridge and Nanyang Technological University to ensure continuous innovation in core technologies.
Global Vision, Customer Response
End-to-end experience spanning equipment development, data acquisition, and processing/interpretation. We deliver integrated solutions—from survey design to data processing—tailored to your exploration objectives and budget.
Three-Stage Development Roadmap
From equipment manufacturer to integrated service provider, and now a deep-sea data and intelligent decision-making platform.
Productize Equipment
Bridge Manta Node from prototype to mass production, achieving real-sea validation and securing the first commercial orders through device sales and software licensing.
Integrated Services
Shift from selling equipment to selling services by offering end-to-end exploration services—from observation system design and offshore operations to data acquisition and processing—creating a sustainable revenue stream.
Data Platform
Build a deep-sea exploration data asset and platform ecosystem, providing data storage, processing, AI interpretation, and decision support services while participating in industry standard development.