Illuminate the Depths: How DAVD Display Revolutionizes Navy Divers’ Undersea Navigation

ARLINGTON, Va. — Dr. Sandra Chapman fondly recalls visiting the USS Arizona Memorial in Pearl Harbor during her childhood. Now, as a program officer at the Office of Naval Research (ONR), she plays a crucial role in a groundbreaking technology aimed at preserving the memorial’s area.

Chapman’s involvement is in the development of the Divers Augmented Vision Display (DAVD), a revolutionary system enhancing Navy diver operations in challenging underwater conditions. Developed alongside Naval Sea Systems Command (NAVSEA) and Coda Octopus, this advanced technology promises to transform underwater missions.

“DAVD leverages real-time data exchange, high-resolution images, and augmented reality to enable divers to work more effectively in difficult environments,” Chapman stated. The system enhances productivity and communications while ensuring diver safety through its augmented-reality display.

Navy divers often face perilous environments filled with hazards like rock and jagged metal for missions such as ocean salvage and ship hull maintenance. DAVD’s cutting-edge components, including a heads-up display adaptable to any dive helmet, specialized software, cameras, and lighting, aim to mitigate these challenges.

Through cables connecting divers to the surface, DAVD transmits critical information, such as depth and gas levels. It can also utilize sonar data to build detailed 3D models of dive sites, displaying valuable materials like technical manuals and images directly to the diver.

Lt. Matthew Coleman from NAVSEA confirms DAVD as a significant innovation. “This system provides an unprecedented view of the ocean floor, enhancing mission success across various conditions,” he remarked.

Funded initially by ONR in 2019, DAVD has undergone multiple iterations with continuous improvements. The latest version, introduced in 2023, is currently deployed across nine naval commands, making significant impacts in naval and non-naval operations.

Post the 2023 wildfires in Maui, DAVD aided divers in locating sunken boats, demonstrating its utility beyond military applications. In the wake of the 2024 Baltimore bridge collapse, its 3D sonar was instrumental in salvage operations, further showcasing its versatility.

Future developments for DAVD could include GPS capabilities, eye-tracking, and wireless operations. Paul McMurtrie, NAVSEA diving systems program manager, noted, “Just like your iPhone receives upgrades, we aim to continually advance DAVD based on diver feedback.”