Development of a Diver Biometric Device (DBD)

Orbital Research Inc. will combine its existing physiologic monitoring technologies and ruggedize them for the harsh environment of ocean diving. Orbital Research has a long history of creating novel sensor systems for a variety of austere environments including fighter pilots, NASA astronauts, SOCOM divers, and soldiers on the battlefield. Orbitals core competency is taking sensor techniques and porting them into embedded systems that function in harsh environments. Key to these successes is heavy integration of electrical, mechanical, aerodynamic, and biomedical considerations and components. For the Diver Biometric Device, Orbital proposes its Smart Goggles for Diver Physiologic Monitoring, capable of measuring a wide range of physiologic datastreams for research purposes and to inform the warfighter of critical physiologic information. Existing dive computers provide some situational awareness information to divers to ensure safety. Further, technologies do exist which transmits SCUBA and location information from a diver to the surface. However, to date, a system does not exist which provides full compliment of biometric and SCUBA status awareness back and forth between the diver and topside dive supervisor Orbitals proposed Smart Goggles will fill this large gap in current military dive computers by providing critical real-time biometric data to both the diver to aid in diver safety and performance.