Researchers at the University of Washington have developed a mobile app for acoustic-based underwater communication and networking.
The AquaApp, as its name suggests, could be used with existing devices such as smartphones and smart watches.
The University’s research team demonstrated how to how underwater messaging on billions of current smartphones and smartwatches using a software works.
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AquaAPP developers say the app interface enables users to select from a list of 240 pre-set messages that correspond to hand signals employed by professional divers.
The pre-set massages come with 20 most common signals prominently displayed for easy access.
Users of the app can also filter messages on their devices along with eight categories, including direction indicators, environmental factors and equipment status.
A doctoral student at the Allen School and co-lead author, Justin Chan said the research team encounted many challenges during the development of the app.
According to the co-author, addressing the tendency for the device to rapidly shift position and proximity in the current and the various noise profiles the app might encounter with vessels, animals and low-flying aircraft was one of the many challenges.
“We had to adapt in real time to these and other factors to ensure AquaApp would work under real-world conditions” he disclosed.
Co-lead author Tuochao Chen, a UW doctoral student in the Paul G. Allen School of Computer Science & Engineering noted martphones rely on radio signals like WiFi and Bluetooth for wireless communication and as a result don’t propagate well underwater.
“With AquaApp, we demonstrate underwater messaging using speaker and microphone available on smartphones and watches.
User only have to download an app to their phone with waterproof phone case rated for the depth of their dive”, Tuochao Chenexplained.
Professor ShyamGollakota observed that the AquaApp has the potential of bringing underwater communication and networking to the masses.
Till date, hand signals are the only option for millions of people who participate in snorkeling and scuba diving activities annually.
