US Navy divers go Ironman with DAVD
The US Navy's new augmented reality helmet pushes diving into the twenty first century A new high-tech diving helmet being developed by the U.S.
Key takeaways
- Navy will incorporate augmented-reality technology to help keep naval divers safe on underwater missions and help them complete missions faster.
- Dubbed the Divers Augmented Vision Display (DAVD) the helmet will have a high resolution HUD that allows divers to see instrument readings and other data directly on the transparent display without having to lower their eyes.
- The system can be used for underwater construction, salvage operations ship husbandry and even bomb disposal and, eventually, the system could be could be used by first responders and the commercial diving community.
Cite or link to this article
Griffin, M. (2016) 'US Navy divers go Ironman with DAVD', 311 Institute, 14 July. Available at: https://www.311institute.com/us-navy-divers-go-ironman-with-davd/ (Accessed: 1 October 2026).
The US Navy's new augmented reality helmet pushes diving into the twenty first century
A new high-tech diving helmet being developed by the U.S. Navy will incorporate augmented-reality technology to help keep naval divers safe on underwater missions and help them complete missions faster.
Dubbed the Divers Augmented Vision Display (DAVD) the helmet will have a high resolution HUD that allows divers to see instrument readings and other data directly on the transparent display without having to lower their eyes.
"By building a HUD directly inside the dive helmet instead of attaching a display on the outside we’ll be able to give our divers a capability similar to something out of an Ironman movie," said Dennis Gallagher, an underwater systems development project engineer at the Naval Surface Warfare Center Panama City Division.
"You have everything you visually need right there within the helmet."
DAVD will offer divers real time information, ranging from diagrams and text messages to sonar information and by having this operational data in real time, the US Navy’s divers will be able to work more effectively and stay safe on their missions.
"Instead of having to rely on pre-dive briefings to determine what they are looking for, how specific items should appear and where they may be located, the DAVD system places the information right before divers' eyes," he said.
The system can be used for underwater construction, salvage operations ship husbandry and even bomb disposal and, eventually, the system could be could be used by first responders and the commercial diving community.
What this means for your organisation
Data in sight saves time.
Divers no longer rely on briefings or look away to check gauges. Live information appears right in view. Field teams in any sector could work faster with less risk.
Hazardous work gains most.
Salvage, construction and bomb disposal all need focus and fast decisions. Augmented displays reduce error in these settings. Safety leaders should pilot AR for their riskiest tasks.
Military tech moves to industry.
The system could later be used well beyond the navy. Defence often pioneers tools that spread. Firms should track military programmes for early access to new capabilities.
Three questions for your next leadership meeting
- Which of our field tasks would benefit from heads up displays?
- Where would live data most reduce risk for our workers?
- Could we adopt defence-grade AR before rivals?
The trends and technologies behind this story
From the 311 Starburst, the 311 Strategic Intelligence Unit’s map of the technologies and trends shaping the next 50 years.
Analysis by the 311 Strategic Intelligence Unit, from Matthew Griffin’s article and 311 data. First published on Fanatical Futurist.
FAQ
Why does this matter?
The US Navy's new augmented reality helmet pushes diving into the twenty first century A new high-tech diving helmet being developed by the U.S.
About the author
Matthew Griffin Founder, President and Futurist, 311 Institute
Matthew Griffin is a multi-award winning Futurist and expert in Disruption and Innovation, Geopolitics, Leadership, and Technology, who NASA have described as a "walking encyclopaedia of the future" and a "futurist Polymath."
Read full bio
Matthew Griffin is a multi-award winning Futurist and expert in Disruption and Innovation, Geopolitics, Leadership, and Technology, who NASA have described as a "walking encyclopaedia of the future" and a "futurist Polymath." 17-time best selling author of the "Codex of the Future" series, Matthew is the Founder, President and Futurist of the 311 Institute, a global Futures and Deep Futures advisory firm working with royal households, world leaders, G7, G20, and G77 governments, NGOs, and multi-national mid and mega cap firms to help them explore, shape, and lead the next 50 years of business and society.
An award-winning YouTube creator with over a million followers, with an unrivalled global reach and impact, Matthew is a highly sought-after international keynote speaker, lecturer, and mentor who collaborates with global leaders through the United Nations Alliance of Civilizations (UNAOC) and United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) to shape pivotal initiatives such as the UN’s AI for Humanity programme, the United Nations Conference of the Parties (UN COP), and the World Economic Forum in Davos.
As the former Global Head of Cloud, National Security, and Enterprise Sales for companies including Atos, Dell-EMC, and IBM, Matthew has a proven track record of building multi-billion dollar business units and turning failing divisions into market leaders. His ability to identify, analyse, and communicate the implications of hundreds of emerging technologies and trends is unparalleled, and his insights are trusted by many of the world’s most respected organisations, including ABB, Accenture, Adidas, AON, ARM, BCG, Centrica, Citi, Coca-Cola, Dentons, Deloitte, Dow Jones, EY, Google, KPMG, Lego, Legal & General, LinkedIn, Microsoft, PepsiCo, Qualcomm, RWE, Samsung, Siemens AG and Siemens Energy, T-Mobile, UBS, VISA, Walmart, Workday, Worldpay and many others.
Regularly featured in the global media including the AP, BBC, Bloomberg, CNBC, Discovery, Forbes, Khaleej Times, Telegraph, TIME, ViacomCBS, WIRED, and the WSJ, Matthews mission is to help organisations create a fair and sustainable future whose benefits are shared by everyone irrespective of their ability, background, or circumstances.
What future do you need to see?
Choose one to get started on virtual worlds and the future of your organisation.
Source: first published by the 311 Institute on 14 July 2016. Cite as: Griffin, M. (2016). US Navy divers go Ironman with DAVD. 311 Institute. https://www.311institute.com/us-navy-divers-go-ironman-with-davd/
You are welcome to quote this article with credit and a link to the original.