Battery-powered submarines

A Dutch company has launched its own battery-powered submarine that can dive to a depth of 1,000 meters.

The C-Explorers submarine's cavity is protected by transparent glass so that the user can see the surrounding landscape.

U-Boat Worx, a company in the Netherlands, is introducing a new generation of battery-powered personal explorer submarines. C-Explorers, capable of diving depths of about 1,000 m.

Discovery says C-Explorers can carry up to 6 people. Its customers are scientists, research organizations and ultra-rich people. The price of the smallest version is $ 360,000, while the version carrying five people cost more than $ 1 million.

The mini submarine's containment chamber is equipped with transparent pressure-sensitive glass so that the person sitting inside can clearly see the outside view. There are also other premium amenities - like champagne chillies and an iPod charger.

C-Explorer is powered by a 10 kWh lithium-ion battery. But the manufacturer has a 40 kWh version.

The upgraded version of C-Explorer, called C-Explorer 2, will be available at the Monaco yacht show at the end of September.