This electric submarine may be the safest mode of transportation for you during the pandemic.

Author: Chang Yan

I used to think that I was one of the most stay-at-home people in the world, but now I have been writing at home for a long time, and it has forced me out of the door.

But every time I go to a new place, a thought comes to my mind: can a person like me come to a place like this? I’m afraid that I might accidentally slip through time and space.

Today, I want to introduce you to a place that is definitely the best destination during the epidemic period: beautiful scenery, hidden location, safe environment, and no one to disturb.

Besides, it can definitely establish a relationship with supercharging stations.

After writing about the electric plane, we are going to write about the electric submarine.

Since the Middle Ages, the Dutch have been the center of shipbuilding in Europe. At the time of the greatest demand for shipbuilding, there were only dozens of shipyards in Amsterdam alone. In recent years, the Netherlands has also become a world-renowned yacht-producing area.

Gradually, the Dutch shipbuilding industry has extended its gaze underwater.

With the reduction of costs and the advancement of technology, shallow-water diving vehicles that are small in size, easy to operate, and affordable for individuals have become possible, and U-Boat Worx is a company established in 2005 that specializes in this field.

In the past 17 years, they have delivered more than ten models and five series of electric submersibles, and the number of people carried has increased from one person to 5-9 people in the Cruise Sub series.

As they said, to make such a small submersible, at least the following experiences need to be done well:

  1. Relatively simple launch and recovery.

  1. Operations that are more suitable for ordinary users.

  2. Absolute safety in small volumes.

  1. Improved air conditioning, audio, and other comfortable experiences.

  2. Provide targeted support for tourism, underwater photography, and other purposes.

Therefore, on their official website, the product images you see are not of professionally trained scuba divers standing at attention, but are of this style.

I believe that by this point, users like our CEO Mr. An have already been eager to try it out. However, the problem is that these small boats often only support a small number of people to travel short distances. What if I want to bring all of my friends?

U-Boat Worx hit the idea of creating a large submarine.

This is their latest product they recently came up with. This thing is not a military fortress or a scientific research vehicle, so it has a very direct name, called the “Under Water Entertainment Platform (UWEP).”

Ah, this thing can even be repainted.

In fact, because it does not require the complex power and equipment of traditional submarines, nor does it have such strict requirements for deep-water navigation, this may be the submarine with the highest passenger space ratio in history.

The entire ship is 35 meters long, 7.7 meters wide, and 7 meters high. The entire cabin is divided into two floors, and the entire upper space is connected, transparent, and flat. You can decorate and lay out the passenger space you need here, with a total of 150 square meters for you to play with.

The front of the lower hull is the crew’s resting cabin, followed by a dedicated kitchen and five bathrooms in a row.

The location where the ship is operated looks very much like Tesla.

Due to the extremely spacious upper space, you can also divide it into two levels according to the residential layout of Loft, creating a dedicated VIP space.

And through the stairs at the back of the cabin, you can come to the terrace when UWEP is floating on the water, and enjoy the scenery on both sides.

As for the purpose of this submarine, I believe that every owner will have their own ideas, but U-Boat Worx also provides their own layout suggestions on the official website.

It can be a standard restaurant.

Or a conference room that can accommodate up to 64 people.

It can also be an indescribable entertainment venue.

Of course, if you want, you can also hold a new car launch event.

And this new car launch event, in the most extreme case, can be held 200 meters underwater.

Most importantly, UWEP is equipped with 14 large windows with a diameter of up to 4.5 meters, allowing passengers to have a panoramic view of the deep sea and rich marine life.

It is also equipped with a series of external searchlights that can illuminate the surrounding environment and add some extra charm to night diving.

Compared to private jets and yachts, this is a more private and quieter place.

Due to being fully electric, the entire UWEP uses a 1.2 MWh lead-acid battery pack, ensuring absolute safety. This battery capacity ensures that the entire submarine can operate continuously for 24 hours underwater, and in extreme cases, it can support 96 hours of underwater life for the entire crew.

The entire UEWP comes equipped with 8 electric motors, including 4 107 hp horizontal thrusters and 4 54 hp vertical thrusters, which can be used to adjust its travel and snorkeling posture.

However, looking at these power numbers, you will understand that speed is definitely not its strong point. Its maximum speed on the surface is only 5.6 km/h, and underwater it is only 4.6 km/h.

Therefore, you can take your friends deep, but may not go very far…

Similarly, it only needs to be naturally moored in a normal port, but requires special equipment for charging.

U-Boat Worx’s founder and CEO Bert Houtman said in a statement: “UWEP will shake up the submarine and hotel industry and is in a leading position in customized underwater activities.” No need to say more, this thing is the coolest electric start-up project I’ve seen this year.

Among the electric products I’ve seen this year, UWEP temporarily ranks first in terms of its charm to me.

Since I was a child, I have been impressed by Jules Verne’s “Twenty Thousand Leagues Under the Sea.” This is the latest experience that makes me feel like I’m close to the sea floor.

This article is a translation by ChatGPT of a Chinese report from 42HOW. If you have any questions about it, please email bd@42how.com.