HOVERAir Aqua Drone Floats, Films Water Adventures
- tech360.tv
- Aug 28, 2025
- 2 min read
Zero Zero Robotics has launched the HOVERAir Aqua, a new drone designed to operate in water, marking it as the first commercial drone capable of floating and filming aquatic activities. The device allows users to capture cinematic third-person shots while engaging in water sports.
Weighing under 249 grams, the Aqua does not require FAA registration for recreational use in the United States and is C0 certified for easy flying in the European Union. Its bright orange, buoyant frame allows it to float effortlessly, even when tossed into water upside down.
A self-righting mechanism flips the drone upright before it takes off, ready to film. With an IP67 rating, it can be fully submerged in fresh or saltwater without damage due to over 15 waterproofing features, including hydrophobic materials, anti-corrosive composites, and vacuum-sealed components.
The Aqua offers hands-free operation through its artificial intelligence-powered tracking, enabling it to follow users without a controller. This feature frames cinematic third-person shots for activities such as kayaking, wakeboarding, and snorkelling.
A wearable accessory, the Lighthouse, functions as both a tracker and a remote when strapped to an arm. It instructs the drone to take off, land, switch between 15 flight modes, or return if it drifts too far, using a Virtual Tether feature.
The drone features a 1/1.28-inch CMOS sensor that records 4K footage at 100 frames per second, suitable for slow-motion capture. It also captures 12-megapixel photographs, with post-processing capabilities extending to 48 megapixels for enhanced quality.
A hydrophobic, self-heating lens sheds water droplets and prevents fogging, ensuring clear film even in splashy conditions. SmoothCapture 3.0 stabilisation maintains steady footage, whether a user is racing a jet ski at 54.7 kilometres per hour or battling winds up to 61.1 kilometres per hour.
The drone's millimeter-wave radar allows it to fly as low as 5.08 centimetres above the water. It offers 23 minutes of battery life per charge and includes 128 gigabytes of internal storage, sufficient for approximately one hour of H.265 video.
A 4.06-centimetre AMOLED screen on the drone enables users to preview images and adjust settings without needing a smartphone. The Aqua stands out for its versatility, offering over 15 modes tailored for different hobbies and fast water activities.
Specific modes include Kayak mode, which makes the drone follow the user, and Snorkel mode, where it floats on the surface with the camera pointing downwards to film underwater. Surf mode keeps the drone stable against waves, and a Mount mode transforms it into a floating tripod for stationary photos.
Zero Zero Robotics was founded by Stanford PhDs MQ Wang and Tony Zhang. The company’s previous products, the X1 and X1 Pro Max drones, brought 8K filming to land-based adventures.
The HOVERAir Aqua launched on Indiegogo with an early bird price of USD 999, compared to the X1's USD 349. Shipping is scheduled for Dec. 2025, and the campaign has already surpassed its funding goal.
The HOVERAir Aqua is Zero Zero Robotics' first commercial drone capable of floating and filming water-based activities.
Weighing under 249 grams, it features an IP67 rating, over 15 waterproofing elements, and a self-righting mechanism.
It operates hands-free with AI tracking, a Lighthouse wearable remote, and can film 4K footage at 100 frames per second.
Source: TECHEBLOG
