rQPOD Remote Surface Vehicle

Please Note - rQPOD product range is now discontinued. Clients seeking a propelled USV solution should consider Surfbee. For manual deployments please consider SonTek HydroBoard II or Torrent Board

The YSI rQPOD is a lightweight, modular remote surface vehicle (RSV) platform designed to collect water quality, discharge, and hydrographic data in a single mission. Built for flexibility and efficiency, the rQPOD enables water professionals to deploy multiple sensors simultaneously, delivering integrated, spatially and temporally aligned datasets for faster, more informed decision-making.

Designed for use with industry-leading sensors from YSI and SonTek, the rQPOD makes it easier to survey large areas quickly and safely — including locations that may be difficult or impossible to access manually.

Efficient Remote Data Collection

The rQPOD features a lightweight propulsion system that can be fitted to a range of board-style platforms, allowing for rapid deployment and efficient coverage of large monitoring areas in minutes.

With a 2.4 GHz remote control offering operation up to 250 metres (line of sight), users can navigate the system with precision while accessing real-time data visualisation to adjust missions on the fly.

Key benefits include:

• Collect larger spatial and temporal datasets in a single mission

• Access hard-to-reach or hazardous monitoring locations

• Real-time data viewing for immediate decision-making

• Remote operation up to 250 metres

• Quick setup and deployment in 15 minutes or less

Flexible Sensor Integration

The rQPOD platform is designed for ultimate payload flexibility, supporting a wide range of sensor configurations for:

• Water quality monitoring

• Bathymetric surveying

• Discharge measurement

• Velocity profiling

• Hydrographic mapping

Users can purchase the rQPOD as a standalone propulsion system for an existing platform or as a complete package with a purpose-built torrent board.

Purpose-Built Torrent Board Options

YSI offers three dedicated torrent board options, each designed for specific sensor combinations and deployment needs:

TBX

A compact, highly portable board designed specifically for the SonTek RS5 ADCP, ideal for fast deployment and easy transport between sites.

TB

A versatile single-sensor board designed for use with either the SonTek M9 ADCP or any EXO Sonde, offering flexibility for hydrographic or water quality surveys.

DUO

A dual-sensor platform capable of carrying both the SonTek M9 ADCP and an EXO Sonde simultaneously, enabling combined hydrographic and water quality data collection in a single mission.

Built for Tough Environments

Constructed with marine-grade components and designed for single-person transport and deployment, the rQPOD is engineered for reliable operation in demanding environmental conditions.

Combining portability, flexibility, and multi-sensor capability, the YSI rQPOD provides an advanced remote monitoring solution for modern water professionals.