By Andrew Liszewski
Originally conceived in 1978 by Thomas Rowe the Bionic Dolphin has been in the making for many years now. Development of the prototype didn’t even begin until 1988 but eventually in September of 1992 the Dolphin made its first historic underwater ‘flight’.
Powered by a 400 horsepower small-block V8 (the same standard engine that powered the 2005 Corvette) the Bionic Dolphin can travel either on the surface of the water like a boat or completely submerged like a submarine. While the current models are only single-seaters Rowe has also designed a two-seat prototype that will serve as the production model. The Bionic Dolphin was scheduled to go on sale in early 2006 with a price tag of around $50,000 but looking at the website they still seem to be involved in the very important safety-testing stages.
[Bionic Dolphin] VIA [Gizmag]
The Bionic Dolphin Boat/Submarine…
The Bionic Dolphin looks like it would be a blast to ride in!? It can function as a boat or even go underwater.? This looks like the kind of thing that would’ve been at home on a 70’s TV show, sporting a retro/future style but sporting a 400hp Corv…
Wees de dolfijn!…
Voel je als een vis in het water! Niet dat de dolfijn een vis is, maar je snapt het punt wel. Deze een- of tweepersoons Bionic Dolphin is een boot en een onderzeeer waar je zeker veel plezier aan kunt……
I wonder if it was first thought of in ’78? I remember seeing a shark submarine in a Tintin book, ‘Tintin and the lake of sharks’, and I’m pretty sure that was before ’78.
hy how did you get that idea we had the same idea make more and a little cheaper people wont buy for that much you should make one that goes from usa to norway