UAV Solutions / Android-powered USV for High-Accuracy Bathymetric Surveys
Map water depths safely, without a vessel, with centimetre-level precision.
The HydroBoat 990 is Novatest’s USV (Unmanned Surface Vehicle) system for professional bathymetric surveys. It integrates GNSS/RTK positioning, a 200 kHz single-beam echo sounder and autonomous navigation into one compact platform: operational in under 5 minutes, safe for the operator, accurate to the centimetre.
Traditional bathymetric surveys require vessels, crew and lengthy setup times, exposing operators to risk in often challenging environments. HydroBoat 990 removes these constraints: it is an unmanned surface vehicle controlled from an Android tablet, which navigates autonomously along a planned route and acquires water depth in real time with a precision of ±1 cm.
The system is designed to operate without a base station using network RTK technology, and adapts to any body of water: rivers with current, lakes and reservoirs with aquatic vegetation, port areas, coastlines and canals. The carbon-fibre double hull with IP67 rating ensures continuous operation in wind force 3 and wave force 2 conditions.
The SLHydro USV Android app manages the full workflow from the handheld controller: survey grid planning, automated mission launch, live 360° video monitoring and data download on completion. The SLHydro Sounder software for Windows completes the pipeline with data processing, tide correction, triangulation and export to standard formats (DXF, CSV, XYZ).
| Dimensions (L × W × H) | 1035 × 560 × 345 mm |
| Weight (excl. batteries) | 20 kg |
| Material | Carbon fibre, rubber bumper |
| Weather resistance | Wind force 3 / Wave force 2 |
| Waterproofing | IP67 |
| Thrusters | 2 × brushless waterjet (no rudder) |
| Maximum speed | 6 m/s |
| Endurance (1 battery) | 5 h at 1.5 m/s |
| Batteries included | 2 × 28.8 V / 34.3 Ah |
The waterjet propulsion without rudder is one of HydroBoat 990’s key advantages over conventional propeller systems: no exposed mechanical parts means no fouling risk in heavily vegetated or rocky-bottomed water, and significantly reduced maintenance requirements.
| Operating system | Android |
| Control software | SLHydro USV |
| Radio range | 1.3 km (2.4 GHz) |
| Extended range | Unlimited via 4G |
| Indicator light | Two-colour |
| Camera | 360° omnidirectional video |
| Anti-collision sensor | Detection 10–30 m |
The radar anti-collision system and automatic hovering (position hold) function make HydroBoat 990 safe even in the most complex operations. The automatic reverse mode in shallow water protects the vehicle from grounding situations without operator intervention.
| Constellations | GPS, BDS, GLONASS, Galileo |
| RTK accuracy (H) | ±8 mm + 1 ppm RMS |
| RTK accuracy (V) | ±15 mm + 1 ppm RMS |
| Heading accuracy | 0.2° @ 1 m baseline |
| INS accuracy | 2.1°/h, < 1 m/20 s |
| Update rate | 200 Hz |
The automotive-grade INS (Inertial Navigation System), combined with RTK correction, delivers centimetre-level positioning even in areas with reduced satellite coverage. Native support for four constellations (GPS, BDS, GLONASS, Galileo) maximises satellite availability in any operational scenario.
| Frequency | 200 kHz |
| Depth range | 0.15 – 200 m |
| Accuracy | ±0.01 m + 0.1% × D |
| Beam angle | 5° ± 0.5° |
The 200 kHz echo sounder with a 5° beam angle is calibrated to maximise bottom resolution while minimising side lobes. The 15 cm minimum depth coverage enables surveys in very shallow water, while the 200 m range covers the vast majority of hydroelectric reservoirs and commercial harbours.
Everything needed to begin survey operations immediately is included:
| 1 × | HydroBoat 990 | With integrated single-beam echo sounder |
| 1 × | 2.4 GHz antenna | RC-NJ-2425-417 mm |
| 1 × | 4G antenna | LTE-NJ-0827-320 mm |
| 1 × | UHF antenna | UHF-460-TNC-300 mm |
| 1 × | Battery charger | 100–240 V, European plug |
| 2 × | Battery | 28.8 V / 34.3 Ah with transport case |
| 1 × | Android controller box | With Type-C charger and shoulder strap |
| 2 × | Propeller protection grids | Metal, anti-vegetation |
| 1 × | Tool kit | Pliers, hex keys M1.5–M10, forceps |
| 1 × | Transport case | Hard-shell, 124 × 68 × 53 cm |
| 1 × | SLHydro USV software | Pre-installed in Android controller |
| 1 × | SLHydro Sounder software | For Windows, download via Partner Center |
Fill out the form with your details and get in touch with us. One of our consultants will be at your disposal to evaluate your needs with you.
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Novatest srl
Via Albertini, 36/F8
Gross Ancona
60131 Ancona (AN) - IT
