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A scientist diver? Oceans Eye technology

Listen to this article Many scientists – whether oceanographers, biologists or geologists – struggle with the problem of how to collect the necessary data efficiently and quickly. Inspired by this issue, climate scientist Karsten Shein and ecologist Peter Quilliam asked themselves – why not ’employ’ divers for this mission? Designed by a team of researchers

ByGosia Harasimowicz

Published: November 19, 2017 - 10:30

Updated: July 22, 2023 - 15:55

A scientist diver? Oceans Eye technology

Listen to this article

Many scientists – whether oceanographers, biologists or geologists – struggle with the problem of how to collect the necessary data efficiently and quickly. Inspired by this issue, climate scientist Karsten Shein and ecologist Peter Quilliam asked themselves – why not ’employ’ divers for this mission?

Designed by a team of researchers (comprising Shein, Quilliam, Jenny Parmar and Neil van Niekerk), the small device records measurement data every time a diver submerges in water. It can be easily mounted on the suit.

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Oceans Eye is synchronised with a smartphone or tablet, so it can transmit GPS data directly to land. In this way we are able to create a 3D profile of our dive, including depth and displacement in the horizontal axis.

In addition to GPS coordinates, Oceans Eye can examine temperature, refractive index and conductivity using an algorithm that uses data on the concentration of dissolved salts in the water.

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After a dive, Oceans Eye connects via Bluetooth to a synchronised device on land. All data is sent to the recipient without any effort on the part of the diver, whose task is the same – to enjoy the exploration of underwater areas.

Because of the dynamic changes on coral reefs and the need for constant monitoring, Oceans Eye, used on a large scale, can be extremely helpful to scientists. For this reason, they want to encourage people who dive every day – instructors, but also keen hobbyists – to get involved.

With such simple access to data from areas of concern, researchers will be able to observe trends in reef changes and respond in emergencies.

Oceans Eye is to be available at as low a price as possible to ensure that as many people as possible participate in the project. Because the more people, the more reliable the observed phenomena will be, according to the laws of statistics.

The information captured by Oceans Eye will be available for free to users associated with schools or universities – pupils, students, teachers and professors. The team is currently working on a prototype version of the device. It is expected to appear on the market at the end of 2017.

Source: scubadiving.com, retrieved 18.11.2017 Photo: Neil van Niekerk