Technabob » scuba diving http://technabob.com/blog Cool Gadgets, Gizmos, Games and Weird Science Tue, 14 Feb 2012 00:00:55 +0000 en hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.3.1 Hydrobob: Sea-Segway http://technabob.com/blog/2010/10/14/hydrobob-sea-segway/ http://technabob.com/blog/2010/10/14/hydrobob-sea-segway/#comments Thu, 14 Oct 2010 11:45:13 +0000 Lambert Varias http://technabob.com/blog/?p=41014 Andrew Sneath has invented a vehicle that allows people who know nothing about diving or swimming to safely experience the joys of being underwater, albeit in a controlled environment and with a slight dent to one’s dignity. The vehicle is called the HydroBOB (BOB stands for Breathing Observation Bubble), a scooter with an oxygen tank and a large viewing bubble with a 180ยบ view.

hydrobob underwater scooter

Even though it looks like a scooter, seeing the HydroBOB in action reminds me of a bumper car. There are triggers on the handles that lets you control the thrust, but it glides around clumsily and slowly. As you can see in the picture above, the HydroBOB is also tethered to a support structure above the water, so there’s probably a limit to how far it can go. But it is a lot safer for the HydroBOB to be slow and tethered, especially if a non-diver is riding it.

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You can try out the HydroBOB at the Hyrdodome in Fort Lauderdale, Florida for $25 (USD) per hour. You’ll also see Sneath’s FISH-E 101 robot fishes while you’re scooting underwater. You can also rent the HydroBOB for private events. Check out their website for more pics and info.

[via Bornrich]

]]> http://technabob.com/blog/2010/10/14/hydrobob-sea-segway/feed/ 0 Dive Back Into the Deep With Endless Ocean 2 [Nintendo Wii] http://technabob.com/blog/2009/08/28/endless-ocean-2-nintendo-wii/ http://technabob.com/blog/2009/08/28/endless-ocean-2-nintendo-wii/#comments Fri, 28 Aug 2009 15:18:28 +0000 Alisha K. http://technabob.com/blog/?p=19000 Endless Ocean… and its forthcoming sequel are beginning to seem absolutely normal. The scuba diving games have an emphasis on exploration and the beauty of the ocean, without a lot of the goals and challenges]]> With the definition of just what a game is expanding so rapidly, mellow experiences like Endless Ocean and its forthcoming sequel are beginning to seem absolutely normal. The scuba diving games have an emphasis on exploration and the beauty of the ocean, without a lot of the goals and challenges that crop up in traditional games. These titles are about swimming and seeing–just like real scuba diving, but without that constricting suit.

tb endlessocean2

That said, the sequel includes a few more goals and the challenges of animals that will attack you if you’re not careful. Here, the dangers of exploration in the open sea have become a factor, but the emphasis is still on the exploration, not beating sharks off in a panic.

A new trailer is available, showcasing the sequel’s improved graphics.

Click to View Embedded Video Clip

This is one franchise I do hope continues, with new iterations every few years, because this is one area where improved graphics and functionality will begin to make huge differences. The sequel features voice chat for dives with friends over the Nintendo Wi-Fi connection.

[via NeoGAF]

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