Deep-sea eddies, low-light aquatic environments, electromagnetic interference within the cabin, and confined payload spaces are all unavoidable operational challenges faced by underwater ROVs when conducting surveys, search-and-rescue missions, and pipeline inspections. As the core sensing component of underwater robots, visual imaging and signal transmission systems—once plagued by issues such as insufficient zoom capability, severe image noise, transmission lag, or control failure—can directly bring underwater exploration missions to a standstill. Conventional split-type camera accessories on the market suffer from poor compatibility and struggle to simultaneously deliver long-distance observation and real-time, stable video feeds. To address these challenges, Kemorei has introduced a complete solution featuring the CM8236G-C 36x zoom mechanism paired with the CM2001SH military-grade encoding control board. Leveraging the inherent hardware parameter advantages, this solution is specifically tailored to fit various small- and medium-sized underwater robots, establishing an integrated underwater visual link for marine scientific research, hydraulic tunnel inspection, offshore wind farm operations and maintenance, and underwater emergency salvage operations.

1. The CM8236G-C integrated zoom mechanism, which forms an underwater high-definition imaging unit capable of long-distance shooting.

Underwater operations often require robots to perform wide-range scans and detailed inspections from a safe distance. The CM8236G-C addresses the common challenge of imbalanced near- and far-field observation underwater, thanks to its standard optical specifications. The device is equipped with a 1/1.8" 3.19M global-shutter CMOS sensor featuring an effective pixel resolution of 2064 (H) × 1544 (V) and a large pixel size of 3.45 μm, which effectively reduces image noise even in turbid seawater, achieving a system signal-to-noise ratio of over 52 dB. The lens offers a native focal length range from 6.0 mm to 216 mm, providing 36x optical zoom combined with 12x digital zoom for a maximum hybrid zoom capability of up to 432x. At the wide-angle end, the horizontal field of view reaches 58.4°, enabling rapid scanning of seabed topography and capturing comprehensive views of underwater structures. At the telephoto end, the narrow field of view is just 2.2°, allowing the robot to precisely detect millimeter-scale defects such as pipeline corrosion or subtle cracks in dam structures from long distances—eliminating the need for the robot to approach targets closely and thus avoiding collision risks caused by ocean currents. The camera’s low-light performance is optimized for deep-sea environments with no ambient light: in daylight mode with Sens-up and AGC disabled, the minimum illumination required is 0.1 Lux at F1.5; when the infrared cut filter is activated at night, the minimum illumination drops to as low as 0.08 Lux at F1.5. The camera supports multiple focusing modes—including automatic, manual, and single-trigger—covering a focus range from 0.1 m to infinity, making it ideal for dynamic robotic navigation and filming. The camera body natively outputs multiple video signals via LVDS and CVBS, allowing direct connection to the CM2001SH control board without the need for additional adapters, significantly simplifying the wiring layout within the underwater housing. Additionally, the camera features built-in full-day/night switching, multi-level exposure control, and adjustable AGC parameters, perfectly tailored to the unique optical characteristics of seawater. It automatically corrects for water-induced color distortion, delivering pristine, high-quality underwater footage around the clock.

2. The ultra-thin CM2001SH encoding control board—creating a central hub for stable underwater signal transmission control.

The underwater robot’s hull has a compact space, making it easy for the motor and power supply lines to generate electromagnetic interference. This places extremely high demands on the signal-processing components in terms of size, anti-interference capability, and control compatibility. The CM2001SH features a 50mm...×50MM×5MM ultra-thin military-grade four-layer gold-plated PCB, featuring copper MCX and HDMI interfaces. Its compact size ensures it doesn't occupy valuable payload space on the robot, and its sealed underwater housing is highly resistant to salt spray and moisture. The hardware natively supports LVDS direct connection to the camera module, automatically recognizing various camera image formats and simultaneously outputting high-definition video via both SDI and HDMI. It is compatible with all standard resolutions—720P, 1080I, and 1080P—and employs low-latency encoding to ensure real-time synchronization of underwater footage on the surface control station, eliminating any lag that could lead to operational errors. The control interface is equipped with dual RS485 ports, RS232-TTL, I/O ports, and physical buttons, supporting mainstream protocols such as SONY VISCA, PELCO-P, and PELCO-D. The baud rate is adjustable across a wide range from 2400 to 115,200. Two key features specifically designed for underwater operations are power-loss memory and command pass-through. If the underwater robot loses power and restarts during operation, the control board automatically retains all preset parameters—including zoom, exposure, and white balance—eliminating the need for staff to re-adjust settings. Full command pass-through enables precise remote control of the camera’s zoom, focus, and day/night switching from the surface, ensuring zero signal loss in the control link. The board is powered by an imported ARM processor chip and supports OEM/ODM customization, making it compatible with a wide variety of domestically produced and imported underwater robot master control systems.

3. Integrated hardware and software coordination for comprehensive adaptation to the extreme and complex operating conditions of underwater robots.

A single imaging module or control board alone cannot handle the combined effects of multiple harsh marine conditions. The CM8236G-C and CM2001SH combo from Kaimorui offers native compatibility, featuring LVDS direct plug-and-play connectivity that eliminates complex retrofitting procedures and significantly shortens the overall integration cycle for underwater robots. With global shutter imaging paired with low-latency encoding and transmission, the robot delivers smooth, flicker-free, tear-free, and stutter-free video even when navigating in turbulent ocean currents, providing a reliable source of image data for autonomous underwater obstacle avoidance and target recognition. The imaging module’s dual-day-and-night modes, coupled with the control board’s dual-channel output, create a complete operational loop: during daylight hours, the wide-angle lens enables comprehensive terrain mapping, while the telephoto lens precisely identifies equipment damage. In dark, lightless deep-sea environments, the system switches to black-and-white night-vision mode, leveraging ultra-low-light sensitivity to detect hidden underwater targets. SDI long-distance transmission is compatible with extended-length underwater umbilical cables, and HDMI direct connection to ground-based monitoring terminals ensures high-definition video recording throughout the entire operation, providing complete visual documentation for project acceptance and scientific research records. The modular, split-design facilitates easy maintenance and repair of underwater equipment—damaged components can be replaced individually, dramatically reducing the operational and maintenance costs of underwater systems.

4. Implement comprehensive underwater operation scenarios across all dimensions to enhance the overall effectiveness of robotic underwater exploration.

This comprehensive visual module suite provides full coverage of mainstream underwater robotics application scenarios, fundamentally redefining the upper limit of underwater operational efficiency. When mounted on ROVs for inspecting hydraulic dams and water diversion tunnels, these systems enable long-distance zoom inspections to detect dam erosion and pipeline leaks, effectively replacing high-risk deep-sea diving operations performed by human divers. For nearshore marine farms and coral reef scientific research equipment, low-noise imaging allows for undisturbed monitoring of underwater ecosystems and detection of damage to aquaculture cages. In shipwreck salvage and underwater search-and-rescue missions, robots equipped with 432x hybrid zoom lenses can rapidly scan large areas of the seabed, precisely locating underwater targets. Moreover, offshore wind power and subsea oil pipeline inspection devices demonstrate remarkable stability in resisting complex nearshore currents, enabling clear identification of potential hazards such as anchor chain corrosion and pipeline damage. Compared to traditional discrete visual accessories, Kemore’s integrated solution significantly enhances the accuracy of underwater target recognition, dramatically expands the coverage area per inspection, reduces the frequency of robotic back-and-forth navigation, and lowers both device energy consumption and the risk of underwater collisions.