Engineers have launched an underwater contraption which enables watergoers to 'swim like a dolphin' - similar to the jet used in the 1965 James Bond film Thunderball.
The cutting-edge watercraft, called Seabob F7, uses a revolutionary electric jet that generates 700 newtons of thrust, propelling users along under the waves at speeds of up to 9mph (15km/h).
The jet system is the first in the world to feature an impeller - a special kind of rotor - powered by an electric motor, which sucks in water then fires it out the back of the craft.
The Seabob F7, pictured, can dive to more
than 130ft, operate for an hour, and the craft's speed is controlled by hand
controls to flick through its 10 gears. The craft is steered using the driver's
bodyweight to angle the craft
The electric jetstream system in the Seabob
F7, pictured, has been patented and uses an electro-motor with a protected
running impeller in a jet channel. It works on the principle of water
displacement. Water is sucked in by the powerful rotating impeller and forced
out in the jet channel under high pressure
Above water, the Seabob F7 can reach speeds
of up to 13mph (22 km/h), and up to 9mph (15 km/h) under water. It weighs 64kg
and has a 8kg buoyancy in the water. It is available in red, orange, yellow,
pictured, blue, silver, white, titanium and chrome
The Seabob F7 is similar to the underwater
jet seen in the 1965 James Bond film, Thunderball, pictured, starring Sean
Connery
The basic model of the Seabob F7 from
Cayago, pictured, starts at £12,500 ($20,700) but buyers can spend almost
double for a top of the range one that comes with a special charger and case
German makers Cayago also sell a Seabob F5
S version of its jet, pictured, which is 35kg, reaches speeds of up to 12mph
(20km/h) above water and has a force of 680 newtons. This smaller model costs
£6,500 ($10,805)
Cayago said: 'Steering and diving couldn't
be easier - it's all done by shifting your body weight. Apply only light
pressure and the Seabob will obligingly begin to dive, man and machine forging
ahead with power and purpose'
James Bond films have a history of
underwater vehicles, including the Lotus Esprit, pictured, featured in 1977
Bond film The Spy Who Loved Me
