5G Cellular Controlled Drone Boat - Long Range Test 

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I’m glad we’re getting more long range missions, the banana boat video where it goes on a long trip is still one of my favorite videos

Hi I'm from Germany and I'm in a model boat club and as a last resort against water in the boat we use a so-called bilge pump with a float switch that pumps the water off automatically when it reaches a certain height in the hull You could also use a shaft seal ring to seal the stern tube to the shaft. Hope my suggestions are helpful😅

That’s a fine lathe you got there. Thanks for showing both the successes and failures as always!

Nobody will ever see this but, I just want to thank you for existing, I get sick a lot and whenever I do, I know that I can always just sit back and watch some good old rctestflight. Thanks you.

With a slightly larger vessel you could add solar panels and Starlink for super long-range offshore missions.

Your projects just keep getting more impressive. I'm a pretty big R/C nerd but you've evolved to the point that I don't understand half of the tech you're using now. Keep up the great work.

The props are for a surface vessel (design to stay half submerged and to spray a mix of water and air). To improve the speed, efficiency and tug force you should use a different props, a full submerged one, without the flat part on the blade. Beautiful video as always!

Dude, this is just truly the most cool thing you have ever done!! AND YOU HAVE DONE SOME INSANE STUFF!! Sooooo Cool!

Everyday we get closer to eventually getting a flying boat

You should add speaker and microphone to the boat so you can communicate with people.

This is INCREDIBLE, Daniel! We are so Proud to be one Part of this!😇🥳

Dude you're fulfilling every nerd's dream of controlling an RC vehicle from a Coffee shop, The fact that its a boat makes it even better. Thank you man.

You should put a speaker on it so that if anyone does approach it, you can just tell them, "Hey, this is a test of a top secret DARPA project. Back away or the FBI will arrest you." Lol

I cannot even begin to explain how interesting this is. A DIY boat made from ordinary boat/rc boat parts driving through set waypoints (which you can change on the fly!) on its own using GPS, with cameras so you can see its progress and the ability to calibrate sensors and use them remotely. This creation makes this whole process look so flawless I'm shook. I always liked automation and DIY projects, and this, this is like a wet dream honestly. I'm really excited for what's coming in the future (but I'm still trying to process all the amazement I'm experiencing right now). Great work love your content!

Great to see a new boat video! I enjoy the surface effect and flying machine videos as well, but I've been hoping to see a return of one or more of the boats because it seems like they have great potential still waiting to be unleashed.

I love watching your adventures :)

the fleshlight joke was golden. most people will miss it

might help the silicone thingy if you designed the mold to have a shell that remains installed and has some features around the outside to engage with the silicone, to grant it rigid support. This might also let you make the silicone thingies much smaller if that's useful.

This is so fantastic. I am really wanting to do something similar and trying to learn ardupilot and all these long range systems that are more than your typical RC control and your videos are inspiration to what’s possible! Super cool. Keep ‘em coming!

This was incredible! Your long range boat videos are my absolute favorites, the Banana Slug was so entertaining to watch. I'm really excited to see what you can accomplish with this! Amazing work as always 😊

Have you ever thought about leaving a small bilge pump in the hulls?

This was awesome. Lots of cool potential with that cellular connection. I’m exited to see what you do with it

Hats off to you for having the patience with all the “tuning”

I really appreciate that you show the parts that dont work. A lot of people just want to make their project look cool so they dont show it but then you go to try the project and run into similar issues and feel like you're doing something wrong because the videos didn't show any of it.

Multitasking like a champ man! That was amazing.

Nothing worse than a leaky shaft

That was incredible!! Love your channel, man!

We saw you at Gas Works today using your gadgets and asked for your channel. Thanks for sharing! My 2 sons (13 & 10) were curious as to what you were up to. We look forward to learning more. 👍🏻

You'd be better using a long propeller tube, running at a shallow angle to the motor mounted above the waterline. That way, the tube does not act as a passage into the hull for water. Also why not use your water sensor to run a bilge pump automatically?

Your videos are always a joy to watch, and this one was no exception! I think it would be cool to add some sort of flag or banner displaying a QR code that takes curious onlookers to a webpage describing your little drone vessel and its mission. Regardless, I look forward to future uploads!

I enjoy RC. It feels cool you are local. Hopefully, you're getting to enjoy this bit of warm weather this weekend. The starlink idea someone had would be cool for sure though I think what you have going is interesting. An autonomous tug boat for people stuck in the water could be a practical use of such things maybe. Hmm.

Thanks for a really enjoyable video - I do love these testing videos.

This is awsome! I see the potential for a trans-pacific drone boat in the future!

Your dedication to continually pushing the envelope for remote autonomous vehicles is awe inspiring! ❤

im loving these videos for real. Thank you providing this type videos Daniel!

Great work on another successful mission. I love your projects!

You should use capacitive and not resistive water sensors. The resistive ones corrode easily and are not reliable.

Maybe you can fix your capacity problems by adding a current sensor between the battery and your electronics. For example, a Hall current sensor would be a good choice for you. You could then simply measure the current over time and calculate how much capacity you still have left.

I love the autonomous boat videos! Solar panels and a voice system and drive it around beaches talking to people via telepresence :-) Rock on, Daniel

Wow.... nice to see the options available for long range stuff now... didn't know multi-cellular data links were a thing now. One gotcha with ELRS telemetry is depending on the receiver the telemetry isn't as long range as the control link side, so you may have control, but no telemetry, as you showed in the video. Great video... looking forward to seeing the next installment.

Have you ever thought of using magnetic couplers for the shaft? With those there would be no more chance of water getting in through some seal, although they might be more difficult to build.

I get such a kick out of these projects you do. The long range autonomous boat was definitely one of my favourites. BTW If you wanted to make sure you don’t get any leaks from the props, you could use a magnetic gear system.

Your coolest project yet! SO amazing and entertaining. Thank you👍👍

Fascinating. Working perfectly. Needs a message sign to leave it alone. Can you add live voice communication to talk to someone approaching the boat ? Weed problem solved? Solar recharge? Long range mission? Love this project. Great job.

An automatic bilge pump would be a wise add on.

Maybe try to make a 3d printed toroidal propeller? would be interesting to see if it increases range at that scale.

Wow, it's been two years! It's awesome to see your equipment has improved. 😂 Can't wait to see more. Best of luck out there.

Thank you for always making interesting videos, love your content 👍🏼👍🏼

Your behind-the-camera commentary is always on fleek

Another fantastic trial! Cellular is definitely it, when moving close to land. Maybe if you get an appointment with Elon, you can go seriously off shore ;-) Now you have the water sensor, all you need is the pump. When the level is detected high enough, the water pump could start automatically. It's seen in many bigger boats. Without making it too unstable, you could also make a highly visible flag on board. That would prevent some unintentional collisions. Keep them coming. You seem to be a good boat builder now :-)

So I always like videos to support content creators that I enjoy watching and you are one that I like before the video even starts, every time, I am never disappointed! Thank you very much for all your awesome endeavours and adventures!

The more of your videos I see, the more potential I see for making sailboat parts in onshape. Seriously man, you’re an inspiration. Your craft is meticulously thought out and it shows.

What lathe model is that? 😂

I watched your full original boat series yesterday. Impeccable timing for a sequel

Man that's an awesome setup, loving the remote control/video/telemetry, so cool!

Nice work man !!!! Awesome vid !!!

It would be cool if you added back the solar panel for the next mission! Then you wouldn’t have to worry about battery as much. Also possibly repositioning the cellular antennas to be on the same mast as the camera, and moving the module inside the hull. Just an idea as it looked like they could be disconnected. Like others are saying, an automatic bilge pump would be a good idea too.

Awesome video man!

Super exciting to see the comms link and the new controller. That TX16S looks sweet. Nice work on the prop shaft seal, not sure if magnetic couplings would work then you could isolate fully. How well did the weed guards work ? That must be one of the real long distance problems.

this is a really amazing project. we've all dreamed to do this to a plane or boat and you really did it.

Captian here. REAL Actual Captain. The one in my 40ft trimaran is just a big pencil lead. hint hint Okay so attach a pencil led wider than the shaft facing towards the keel with a set screw. Then a boot sealed to the hull and sealed to the other side of the pencil lead. adjust the pressure Of the two pencil leds touching each other with the set screw on the shaft placed pencil lead. The graphene-to-graphene gap is less than a water molecule wide. So it does not leak and lasts forever. Mine is 15 years old and it's time I change the boot as it looks someing like a toilet plunger yet the resistance is not what it used to be thats the only reason why it needs changing. Higher horse power does require active cooling of the big pencil leads. I thought if I say pencil leads it would be easier to understand than graphite puck with a hole in the middle. Sorry to see you go through this over and over. If you need details I am sure I can get you some. Q: You may have some questions like how do you make a gap the fine? A: You dont you just run it and it will stop leaking by itself. Example: My boat was sitting in the ocean for a long time before I bought it and the boot is loose so salt water started too drip and for deposits in the seal making it not work as well. I literally climbed down there and sanded it while taking on water because the boot was pushed back for a moment. Very scary. Anyway after sanding it then running the motor for an hour it was good agian.

Best RU-vid Channel i know. Great work man!!!

Dude! Love your videos. One of my favorite things to watch on RU-vid. Makes me want to buy a 3d printer and make stuff, you make look so easy.

This was a great video, super awesome build! 👍🏻👍🏻👍🏻

This is so awesome. I am so happy for you that all the systems are working. You’ve put so much effort into this and definitely deserve this win! One question. How can you prevent a collision with an oncoming large boat that maybe doesn’t see the craft? Perhaps could you add a proximity or ultrasonic distance sensor to do an override “go 90° right” for a certain distance before continuing to next waypoint.

Great video!

Always love your content ! ♥

Very cool, great work!

I know the videos might not do well but I would love more info about all the different tech and Tx programming you did for this video. I love all your RC and boat videos. Would love to know what all was involved.

I've been with you for a long time now and this was one of the coolest projects though It's hard to pick an absolute fave.

This video was awesome! Can't wait for the next waypoint mission. I'm also super interested to see that E-surfboard thing run.

I have been in touch with a company that makes 5G radio controlled modules. It’s nice to see a final consumer ready product readily available.

This is Amazing ! Thanks!

Cool stuff! Having both the receiver and cameras on single masts makes me a bit nervous. I'd probably have two or three poles, and maybe a few guy wires (is that the right term) to hold them on and upright. But it looks like it's working fine for you. I just hope that during a long mission the masts don't come unstuck somehow and flop over.

Have you ever thought of adding computer vision to a project like this? If so would be interesting to see it in action and how you would implement it! Keep up the amazing work as always!!!

Awesome. Love to see more of your Awesome work.

I actually work in a similar field. I work at CNHi on autonomous agriculture equipment (tractors and combines). I must say if you ever want a job, you would be a good fit. I'm very impressed with your ingenuity. Mu colleagues are designing mesh radios that switch between wifi and cellular and I design software that works over these networks. I often find myself feeling we move to slow but I understand being a big commercial company with expensive lands and equipment we just can't. Anyway, wanted to chime in and just say from someone in more commercial space, you certainly have the skills to take this beyond hobby but hobby is more fun no doubt lol. Props to you!

Thanks for the Factor mention! Home Chef was way too intensive and the amount of packing materials I nearly had a heart attack.

Fun vid! I've just watched their flitetest documentation and reminded myself how similar your channel name is. Now your channel is getting similar to Sripols diy build madness. Of course with your own personality and really creative use of engineering. Excited to see what's next. Been watching your videos since you were about 15 I guess ;) greets from Austria, Mario

Dude, you're awesome! Keep it up.

Every single one of these videos is more fascinating than the last.

Love these types of vids ^^

Absolutely STUPENDOUS project you've made!

Great job 👏

I really enjoy this channel!

Excellent work! So cool seeing it travel on its own😊

Love this project. Would love a video that goes over the controller with the gps setup, programming and app side of things.

amazing as usual

That’s a way cool project, nice job!

glue "keyr'd" 😄 Love your videos. I've been following since the narrated FPV days.

"I've got to make the indents on my lathe" as he uses the drill, classic! cool video

To avoid sea weed: You need to increase the size of the water intake and egress ports. Just add large spherical indents in the front and the back of the hull and cover them with a fine mesh. In the middle of the hole you can add the propeller inside a tube connecting the front and the back. You just need a shaft inside the pipe without any connection to the outside. By adding magnets in the tips of the propeller you could use a rotating ring of magnets outside the shaft to transfer the energy of the motor, leveraging the concept of a magnetic gear. Another option would be to split a permanent magnet motor and use the outer part with the electro magnets to rotate the propeller directly.

It is hard to imagine for me that there might be so much problems with celular coverage. I might suggest you to use, if your modem supports it, an IoT M2M sim card, it should work (if modem supports it) in IoT band providing enough bandwidth to controll the boat without video, and have better range due to its "link budget". Great work!

That twisting and pulling action of the shaft seal is very interesting. I'm sure there is a useful application for that somewhere. Like a clutch decoupler sorta thing.

Honestly anything and everything you post is extremely entertaining and informative I love this channel

This is so cool congrats

this man is slowly becoming more unhingled. and i love it

That is actually really awesome. You should try to combine it with the solar panels from the tugboat, that way energy reproduction is also autonomous and there is no actual limit as to how far it can go

nice work sir!