US-based company Ocean Gate has unveiled 'Cyclops', a five-seat submarine capable of reaching depths only accessible to a few scientific vessels.
The Economist reported that a steel hull enables 'Cyclops' to dive to a depth of 500 metres and that it has a battery that allows eight hours of operating time.
Only a few deep-sea scientific submarines exist because it is far cheaper to operate ROVs and AUVs. For example, 90 per cent of the weight of 'Alvin', the submarine that was used to explore the wreck of the 'Titanic' in 1986, was devoted to keeping the three crewmembers alive, while only 10 per cent was reserved for scientific equipment.
Stockton Rush, head of Ocean Gate, said 'Cyclops 2' would soon be launched, which will have a carbon-fibre hull instead of a steel hull. Carbon-fibre can withstand greater pressure than steel, however, it is more prone to microscopic fractures.
To avoid any fractures, Mr Rush has designed narrow fibre-optic cables to power electronic instruments in pods outside the hull, so holes do not have to be drilled.
Mr Rush said he hoped 'Cyclops 2' would be as cheap to operate as an ROV.
'Cyclops' is expected to attract research institutions as customers first, but Mr Rush said the possibility of deep-sea tourism was possible, starting at around US$1,000 per descent.