Video of US Naval Diving Smart Helmet DAVD
A video on the Next Gov website shows how the Naval Surface Warfare Center’s Augmented Reality diving helmet can be used to help salvage operations and rescue missions, especially in water that has very poor visibility.
Although the AREA had previously reported this technology, this video is a great visual reminder of how the technology works and is a good introduction for those who had not previously seen the Divers Augmented Vision Display, or DAVD.
The system includes a see-through device that makes use of smart glasses technology. Divers get real time visual display with items such as sonar, text messages, diagrams and photos. The video shows the diver helmet cam showing how poor visibility can make some dives very difficult.
The built-in prototype smart glasses create a transparent heads-up display. Crews on the above the water can send diagrams to assist in salvage and rescue missions. Sonar imaging shows divers their exact position, as well as the location of any missing underwater objectives for which they might be searching.
Advantages of the helmet include increased visibility, decreased amount of time taken to complete the mission and the fact that the advent of smart glasses technology is making devices such as this more affordable.
This is another example of how Augmented Reality is being used in workplace settings, particularly field service, to improve efficiency and outcomes for enterprises and organizations. In-water testing will begin in October 2016.