A Stereo Camera System for Measuring Coastal Currents

Inexperienced swimmers are often unaware of the presence of treacherous rip currents and this leads to many drowning deaths each year. Even when signs are posted, the public probably does not clearly understand the danger. It would be more informative if the public were ale to maps of the location, speed, and direction of coastal currents. Ocean safety officials are using various methods to inform the public of these dangers but at this time they do not have an easy way to map out the location, speed, and direction of coastal currents. New sensors are needed to address this need. The goal of this Phase 2 project is to develop camera systems which will measure the location, speed, and direction of coastal currents. Three approaches will be developed including a cell phone application, a single camera system, and a stereo camera system. When mounted on a pan-tilt system (with accurate encoders), it will be possible to measure distant coastal currents in a quantitative manner. The data stream can also be made compatible with existing regional protocols.