The U.S. Navy channels 'Iron Man' with a new diving helmet display
Researchers at the U.S. Navy are creating a diving helmet for the future.
The Iron Man esque helmet -- called "DAVD" (Divers Augmented Vision Display) -- is described as "a high-resolution, see-through head-up display (HUD) embedded directly inside of a diving helmet."
Divers will be able to have "real-time visual display of everything," according to the Navy's news release.
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That includes sector sonar (real-time topside view of the diver's location and dive site), text messages, diagrams, photographs and even augmented reality videos.
The point is to place information right in front of the divers' eyes, similar to a point-of-view video game display.
"You have everything you visually need right there within the helmet."
"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," Underwater Systems Development Project Engineer Dennis Gallagher said in a statement. "You have everything you visually need right there within the helmet."
Researchers said the device, which is a prototype right now, can be used for diving missions (ship husbandry, underwater construction, and salvage operations). Eventually, the goal is to have it also be utilized by first responders and the commercial diving community.
Gallagher and his team collaborated with, and demonstrated the system to more than 20 divers from various commands so far.
Next up is phase two, which entails designing components to include both helmet systems and full face masks.
Divers are scheduled to conduct in-water simulation testing in October.
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Saba was a Los Angeles-based reporter who covers all things digital entertainment, including YouTube, streaming services and digital influencers. Prior to that, she spent two years at the Los Angeles Times covering entertainment for the Calendar and Company Town sections. Saba grew up in Santa Monica and graduated from Boston University with a B.S. in journalism and B.A. in political science. When not reporting, she is usually binge watching shows online or looking for new coffee shops to frequent.
