Underwater Augmented Reality: Navigation and identification

This paper presents an overview of a novel Underwater Augmented Reality (UAR) system for diver-assistance. The University of Delaware (UD) is pioneering a new diver-mounted platform which serves as the foundation for various application-specific software packages. These software suites, intended for both recreational and commercial divers, will provide divers with heads-up data from a combination of a priori information and real-time sensing. Currently in development are two software packages: 1) a fish identification scheme called Goggle-based Overlay for Fish Identification, Selection, and Highlighting (GOFISH), and 2) a vision-denied navigation enhancement called Diver Augmented Reality and Knowledge for Navigation and Vision (DARKNAV). This paper describes the UD UAR testbed with the GOFISH and DARKNAV projects, and discusses the ongoing scientific and engineering goals.