Development of a Diver Biometric Device (DBD)
Navy SBIR FY2015.1


Sol No.: Navy SBIR FY2015.1
Topic No.: N151-078
Topic Title: Development of a Diver Biometric Device (DBD)
Proposal No.: N151-078-0909
Firm: Orbital Research Inc
4415 Euclid Avenue
Suite 500
Cleveland, Ohio 44103-3757
Contact: Anthony Opperman
Phone: (216) 649-0399
Web Site: www.orbitalresearch.com
Abstract: 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. Orbital's 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 Orbital's 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.
Benefits: Underwater exploration such as cave diving and in the recreational sector where dive boats support large numbers of recreational divers a market exists to monitor the location and maintain situational awareness of the divers. A diver monitoring system with these capabilities would be very valuable in diver training exercises.

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