Imaging Excellence Meets Autonomy

Built on Boxfish Robotics’ proven patented hovering vehicle architecture, Luna AUV combines full-frame imaging, precise navigation and autonomous operation in a compact platform designed for visual surveys, photogrammetry and environmental monitoring.

Full-frame imaging

Built around a full-frame imaging system, Luna AUV captures high-resolution 50 MP RAW imagery and 4K video up to 60 fps. The system is optimised for photogrammetry, habitat mapping and visual survey applications where image quality and detail are critical.

High Speed Zero Lag Data Transfer icon - Underwater Cinematography Drone

Autonomous or tethered

Luna AUV can operate fully autonomously for repeatable survey missions or tethered for real-time observation and inspection. This flexibility allows users to move seamlessly between data collection and direct operator control.

Repeatable surveys

Precise navigation and low-altitude operation enable consistent visual surveys over time. Return to the same location with confidence to support environmental monitoring, change detection and repeatable photogrammetric surveys.

Coral reef monitoring

Monitor reef health, bleaching events and ecosystem recovery across complex reef structures, walls and varied underwater terrain. Six-degree-of-freedom hovering control allows Luna AUV to capture imagery from multiple perspectives while maintaining precise low-altitude positioning for repeatable monitoring and change detection.

Fish surveys and biodiversity studies

Conduct visual fish surveys around reefs and complex habitats. Stable hovering and precise manoeuvring support detailed observations while optional stereo camera payloads can assist with abundance studies, species identification and fish sizing.

Photogrammetry & SfM

Create detailed geo-referenced 3D models of reefs, habitats and underwater structures. Full-frame imaging and low-altitude operation support photogrammetric models with sub-millimetre resolution, enabling accurate mapping, measurement and quantitative analysis of complex underwater environments.

Environmental monitoring

Invasive Quagga Mussels in the Great Lakes Filmed with Boxfish Luna ROV

Collect repeatable visual datasets across reefs, seagrass beds, rocky habitats and artificial structures. Sensor-fusion navigation delivers sub-metre positioning accuracy, enabling meaningful comparison between survey periods and supporting long-term environmental monitoring programmes.

Which AUV is right for your mission?

Every Boxfish AUV platform is built on the same proven software, navigation and data collection architecture.

Geo-referenced imagery and video
Easy to use mission planning, monitoring and control software
RAW image capture and 4K video recording
Hovering vehicle architecture with six degrees of freedom control
Environmental sensor integration
Photogrammetry-ready workflows and outputs

The difference lies in how each platform is optimised for specific mission requirements.

	Boxfish LUNA AUV	Boxfish AUV	ARV-i
Primary purpose	Autonomous visual survey and photogrammetry	Autonomous scientific survey and photogrammetry	Underwater resident monitoring and inspection
Best fit for	Coral reef monitoring, fish surveys, habitat mapping, photogrammetry, environmental monitoring	Marine science, environmental monitoring, sensor integration and advanced autonomy applications	Long-term monitoring of underwater assets
Key Differentiator	Sony full-frame imaging system	Stereo perception	Docking and resident operation
Key Benefit	Highest quality visual datasets and repeatable imaging surveys	Greater situational awareness and capability around complex underwater structures	Persistent autonomous monitoring from a subsea dock

Review full comparison table here

Example Outputs

Benthic photogrammetry

This 15 × 15 m photogrammetric model was created from a tidal survey conducted at Goat Island, New Zealand. Imagery was collected at 0.8 m altitude and 0.3 m/s using Luna AUV and processed in Agisoft Metashape.

High-resolution imaging, low-altitude surveys and precise navigation enable detailed habitat mapping, measurement and environmental monitoring.

Contact us to view the full-resolution model and explore the level of detail achievable through sub-millimetre reconstruction.

Transect surveys

Luna AUV was deployed to conduct autonomous transect surveys across harbour channels and bays. The vehicle collected repeatable geo-referenced imagery along planned survey lines, creating consistent visual datasets across the survey area.

The combination of full-frame imaging, low-altitude operation and precise navigation enables a level of visual detail and consistency that supports mapping, measurement and environmental analysis.

Such surveys provide an efficient method for environmental monitoring, habitat assessment and long-term change detection while reducing the time and cost associated with traditional survey methods.

Technical Specifications

General

Presssure vessel material: Hard anodised aluminium alloy
Dome Material: Acrylic
Thruster layout: eight 3D vectored
Manoeuvrability: 6 Degrees of Freedom
Fault-tolerant design allows for continued operation even with a failed thruster
Range up to 6km
Depth rating: 300m, 500m or 1,000m
Operating temperature: -10˚C to +45˚C

Camera system

4K full frame sensor main camera

Lighting

Forward: 20,000 lumens, high CRI, dimmable
Adjustable arms and ball mounts for excellent lighting in all orientations
Additional forward lighting options available

Physical Specifications

Dimensions (l/w/h): 730mm / 435mm / 351mm
Weight (salt water ballast installed): 25kg

Mission Planning Software

Simple mission generation using grid pattern or simple transects
Highly customisable interface (pitch, speed, lighting, distance from objects, depth, altitude at any waypoint and multiple USBL beacons)
Start/Stop image collection, video capture, or sensor data at any waypoint
Obstacle avoidance and backtracking

Power

Dive time up to 10 hours (depending on conditions)
Lithium polymer batteries
Battery capacity: 600Wh
Battery recharge time: 5 hrs standard or 45 min fast charge AC/DC field optional

Integrated sensors

Depth sensor
IMU
Internal pressure
Temperature and humidity monitoring
Battery voltage
Leak detection
Thruster failure detection
USBL
DVL

External connections

Boxfish ROV Alpha Luna OEM ARV-i Autonomous Capable Underwater Drone Sensor & Connections Specifications

Four Boxfish free standard ports
Boxfish patented tether connector
Network: RS232, RS422, RS485 and Ethernet
Power: 12V @ 50W and 24V @ 50W

Optional add-ons

Stereo camera for fish surveys

Environmental Sensors

miniCTD
pH sensor
turbidity
chlorophyll
fluorometer
hydrophone

Navigation

Oculus Imaging sonar (about multibeam sonar)

Tether & reel (Optional)

Boxfish ROV Alpha Luna OEM ARV-i Autonomous Capable Underwater Drone Tether Specifications

Extremely durable, lightweight fibre optic dia. diameter 2.7mm or 4.3mm
Tether length as required
Neutrally buoyant in fresh water

Control station (Optional)

Boxfish ROV Alpha Luna OEM ARV-i Autonomous Capable Underwater Drone Control Console Specifications

17” 4K primary monitor for real-time surface monitoring
High quality, physical controls for all primary functions

Product Add-ons

Increase capabilities with a range of add-ons and customisations.

View all accessories

Path to Autonomy

Existing Boxfish Luna customers can upgrade their vehicles to Boxfish Luna AUV, providing a practical path from remotely operated to autonomous survey capability while leveraging their Luna platform.

Build on your existing investment
Add autonomous survey capability
Familiar operation and workflow
Leverage the same imaging platform

The Luna AUV platform also shares common architecture with Boxfish resident systems, providing future pathway to resident docking operation for customers with evolving operational requirements.