Imagine standing by a harbor at dusk, watching as dozens of glowing spheres glide gracefully across the water, shooting synchronized fountains into the air while music fills the evening air. This isn't science fiction—it's the exciting vision behind Arivia, a groundbreaking aquatic drone system that's reimagining what's possible with water entertainment.

Created by Japanese company Spaceone Fukushima, Arivia recently earned an Innovation Award in the Drones category at CES 2026, and it's easy to see why. These delightful devices are bringing fresh creativity to waterfront spaces, offering something traditional fountains simply cannot: dynamic, ever-changing performances that can adapt to any occasion or audience.

Each Arivia drone is a marvel of thoughtful engineering. Picture a friendly sphere floating on the water's surface, with underwater thrusters allowing it to glide smoothly in any direction. Inside this compact package, designers have packed an impressive array of features: a fountain pump with an adjustable nozzle, vibrant RGB lights, audio playback capabilities, GPS navigation, a camera, and Wi-Fi connectivity. The result is a self-contained entertainment system that can work solo or coordinate seamlessly with an entire fleet of its companions.

What makes Arivia truly special is its versatility. Multiple drones can autonomously perform preprogrammed choreographies, creating spectacular shows that combine water displays, colorful lighting, and synchronized music. Event organizers can craft unique experiences for festivals, celebrations, or simply to bring joy to public spaces. And when spontaneity is needed, operators can take manual control of individual drones, adding an interactive element to performances.

But the innovation doesn't stop at entertainment. The Arivia team recognized an opportunity to give these water-dwelling robots a second purpose. Equipped with environmental sensors, the drones can monitor water quality metrics like temperature, turbidity, and oxygen levels as they move about. This means that while delighting audiences with their performances, these drones can simultaneously gather valuable data about the health of our waterways—a beautiful example of technology serving multiple beneficial purposes.

The potential applications are wonderfully diverse. Imagine resort pools transformed into nightly entertainment venues, harbor fronts hosting seasonal celebrations without permanent infrastructure, or community lakes offering regular free shows that bring neighbors together. The flexibility of Arivia means that the same body of water can host different performances for different audiences, keeping the experience fresh and exciting.

While we're still waiting to see when and where Arivia fleets will make their public debut, the technology represents something larger than just entertainment innovation. It demonstrates how creative thinking can transform familiar spaces into sources of wonder and community gathering. It shows how modern technology can be both functional and joyful, both practical and magical.

As cities and communities look for new ways to enhance public spaces and create memorable experiences, innovations like Arivia offer inspiring possibilities. The future of waterfront entertainment is looking brighter, more dynamic, and more enchanting than ever before.