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Hydromea, a company focused on subsea robotics and wireless communication technologies, has introduced the D-FIN™ Electronic Speed Controller (ESC)—a compact, high-efficiency motor controller designed specifically for demanding robotic applications in underwater environments.
Engineered in Switzerland, the D-FIN™ ESC is optimized for use with Hydromea’s own DISKDRIVE™ thrusters but also supports a wide range of brushless permanent magnet DC (BLDC) motors across the robotics and industrial sectors. With its precision control, quiet operation, and efficient performance, D-FIN™ is ideal for integration into compact and power-sensitive vehicles operating in harsh marine environments.
At just 83 x 62 x 12 mm and weighing only 80 grams, the D-FIN controller is designed for minimal size and weight impact. The module can be stacked onto a proprietary backplane, significantly reducing cabling and maximizing space efficiency—an essential feature for miniaturized robotic systems.
Multiple digital communication interfaces provide seamless system integration, including RS485, CAN bus, PWM, and USB-C, enabling real-time control and monitoring. The device supports a broad input voltage range (10–36 V) and can deliver up to 25 amps of continuous current, making it suitable for both delicate precision tasks and high-demand operations.
Felix Schill, Co-Founder and CTO of Hydromea, commented, “As many robotics developers, we’ve been frustrated with the unavailability of a compact, efficient, and precise ESC motor controller in the market. So we developed one for our own thrusters. The D-FIN™ ESC Motor Controller represents a significant advancement in marine motor control technology. Its compact size, high efficiency, and versatile integration capabilities make it an ideal solution for enhancing the performance of robotic systems and many other equipment that requires precise control of BLDC motors.”
The D-FIN ESC supports several advanced motor control modes, including:
- Hall-sensor Field-Oriented Control (FOC)
- Sensorless trapezoidal
- Sensorless FOC
- Self-calibration mode
- Hall-sensor trapezoidal
These modes provide flexibility for a range of operational needs, from high-precision navigation to energy-efficient cruising.
D-FIN joins Hydromea’s expanding portfolio of groundbreaking subsea technologies, including the EXRAY™ underwater inspection ROV, which features the company’s proprietary LUMA™ wireless optical communication system. Together, these innovations underscore Hydromea’s mission to enable untethered, high-performance underwater exploration and inspection.
By delivering powerful motor control in a remarkably compact form, the D-FIN ESC sets a new benchmark for integration-ready solutions in underwater and remote robotic platforms.
