Scubster Wins Bethesda Innovation Award

"We went there for that, we knew it was the price we had a chance to win." Stephane Rousson and the rest of the team have not been fighting for nothing for two years: they have supported their "baby" in front of a jury that does not let itself be impressed. Because the submarine race, if it looks like from afar at a big meeting of submarines that would come and play together, is actually at the forefront of underwater technology. The largest universities in the United States and Canada invest money to fund research, and the competition serves as a breeding ground for the best engineers of tomorrow among students.

And the little French poucet, at the end of a presentation in concrete and a demonstration in the basins, conquered the jury: the Scubster, and that's what makes the difference, is a unique maneuverability, "capable to switch on the slice, to pivot on the spot, to make a barrel, to the only strength of the pilot ". Because we speak well of submarines with human propulsion, without motor of any kind. What the jury is looking for is really something new, something unique, that will advance the research. And the Scubster has kept his bet. He also won the prize for speed in the "independent" category, ie outside major universities.

The team has just returned from the United States, and by the time we release the submarine is on their way home. Tired, but happy, the members of the Team will not stop there: the next race will take place in two years, and they hope to return with a new machine, always relying on current partners, including Supmeca , and Aqualung ,. But also, Stéphane hopes, "bring another team to the United States, mounted with students from high schools, such as Polytechnic, who have more resources, to beat the Americans on their own ground." They now have the experience of competition, they know what to expect, and there is in France a military test basin similar to that of Bethesda, which would allow to train in real conditions.

Meanwhile, the Scubster continues its course in other directions, and the team will focus in particular on the electric version of the submarine, to make it a machine usable as well in archaeological research, as underwater exploration underwater , or in inspection support. By relying on a significant autonomy, and equipment in lighting consequent. The little yellow submarine should still surprise us in the coming year.