On a cold, quiet evening at the Innovationspark Dübendorf, the Hardware and Control Teams gathered by the small test pool, anticipation thick in the air. Weeks of intense effort had brought us to this moment. Our Single Agent Test Platform, the foundation of our ambitious underwater swarm, was finally ready for its first submerged water trial.

Every detail had been triple-checked: the connections from the onboard computer to the motors, the watertight seals, the functionality of every component. Yet as the prototype slipped beneath the water’s surface for the first time, no one could deny the excitement—and the tension—of this critical moment.

And then… it moved! Connected to a tether for now, the drone came to life, demonstrating impressive DOF maneuverability. It changed altitude, pitched, yawed, and rolled, however not yet with the best stability, but proving the functionality of its design. This was more than just a test —it was a milestone that validated the hard work put in and gave the entire team a surge of motivation.

But this is just the start. The Testing Platform is our proving ground—a critical step in refining the final drone design. The data and insights we’re gathering now are shaping everything, from propulsion to waterproofing, to size requirements. Beyond that, the platform is already helping our subsystem teams begin early integration, laying the groundwork for seamless coordination later in the project.

Next up? More tests and untethered trials. The Control Team is ready to put their simulations into action, pushing the limits of autonomy and control. And as we master the single-agent system, the next big leap is on the horizon: multi-agent swarm tests. Stay tuned!