The US Navy is developing a see-through head-up display (HUD) embedded directly inside of a diving helmet.
The Divers Augmented Vision Display (DAVD) enables divers to have real-time visual display of everything from sector sonar (real-time topside view of the diver's location and dive site), text messages, diagrams, photographs and even augmented reality videos.
Underwater Systems Development Project Engineer Dennis Gallagher said having real-time operational data enables the divers to be more effective and safe in their missions by providing expanded situational awareness and increased accuracy in navigating to a target such as a ship, downed aircraft, or other objects of interest.
"By building this HUD directly inside the dive helmet instead of attaching a display on the outside, it can provide a capability similar to something from an 'Ironman' movie," Gallagher said. "You have everything you visually need right there within the helmet."
Instead of having to rely on pre-dive briefings alone to determine what they are looking for, how specific items should appear and where they may be located, the DAVD system places the information right before divers' eyes with a look and feel comparable to a point-of-view video game display.
Gallagher and his team have collaborated with, and demonstrated the system to more than 20 divers from various commands who shared his vision of this futuristic capability for Navy divers.
Divers have the ability to turn the HUD on and off, and direct topside to reposition display data in different locations on the HUD.
"We constantly engage with the operators; if there is a vision they have, we can make it happen," Gallagher said. "By having this type of positive on-the-spot feedback, you know you're going down the right road."
The team is now working on phase two, where components are being designed to include both helmet systems and full face masks. Divers are scheduled to conduct in-water simulation testing in October this year with a third phase set to begin next year to harden the system for expanded field testing with various dive commands.
[Electrical engineer William Hughes demonstrates the Divers Augmented Vision Display during a lab simulation. Photo: Richard Manley/US Navy]
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