Chasing Dory: an underwater drone that lets you take a look beneath the surface

The CHASING Dory is a small underwater drone equipped with a camera, designed for recreational exploration of bodies of water. Unlike a standard quadcopter, the Dory does not fly; instead, it moves underwater while tethered by a cable, transmitting images to the surface. The device is primarily intended for people who want to see what is happening underwater without diving themselves.

The model was introduced in 2019. CHASING unveiled the Dory in September 2019 by launching a Kickstarter campaign. Initially, the device was available for pre-order starting at $299, with the first shipments to backers scheduled for late October or early November 2019.

The primary purpose of the Dory is underwater observation and filming. The drone can be used in lakes, calm sea areas, swimming pools, and other bodies of water. The camera transmits a real-time image, allowing the user to see what is in front of the drone on their smartphone.

Dory is equipped with a Full HD 1080p camera featuring an f/1.6 lens and two 250-lumen LED lights. The manufacturer also employs a color restoration algorithm, as underwater images tend to lose their natural hues. The camera can be tilted up or down by 45 degrees, and the Depth Lock function allows it to maintain a set depth.

Control is handled via the CHASING Dory smartphone app. A floating Wi-Fi buoy stays on the surface; it connects to the smartphone while being linked to the drone itself by a cable. This is a crucial point: 15 meters refers not to the operating range of a standard wireless drone, but to the cable length and maximum diving depth. The Wi-Fi connection between the smartphone and the buoy works at a distance of up to 15 meters.

This makes the Dory particularly appealing for exploration: it allows users to view the underwater world from the surface—observing the seabed, rocks, vegetation, fish, submerged objects, or the boat's hull. For boat owners, the device can also be used to visually inspect the underwater section of the hull and docking structures.

However, Dory’s capabilities are significantly more modest than those of modern professional underwater vehicles. Its maximum depth is just 15 meters , the camera records in Full HD, and the battery lasts for about an hour of operation. Therefore, it is more of a portable, remote-controlled underwater camera than a professional research vehicle.

Single-line technical specifications

Source: chasing.com