There are several companies in California producing 'Bionic
Dolphins', the idea has been around since the 70's, first
dreamt up by Tom Rowe.
This particular model comes from a company called Innespace,
the dolphin itself is called sweet virgin angel.
The Bionic dolphin does not use negative buoyancy
like other submersibles to dive, instead it uses the basic
principles of aircraft wings, reversed, to 'fly' underwater.
This novel feature allows the Bionic Dolphin to perform
a wide variety of aquatic acrobatics, and the craft can
literally leap out of the water.
Using a 110 hp Yamaha Jetski engine the Bionic Dolphin
is capable of 30 mph on the surface and 20 mph submerged.
The single occupant sits in an unpressurised cockpit and
can dive to a depth of 10 feet.
This particular Bionic Dolphin, painted in Dr Evils colours,
was used in the hit movie 'Austin Powers Goldmember'. |
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