Question Dive into the Future: Help Shape the Next-Gen Smart Diving Mask

[andyself]

Having added HUDs to a couple of full face masks a while back, there were a couple of things that we could immediately agree upon from those early dives — first, that it was definitely convenient and a novelty to have that “floating” display (in our case, Shearwater NERDs attached to FFM rail systems) for hands-free use; and secondly, that is was also damned distracting, and I could hardly wait to flip the display away from the visor, once work was done.

Adding further, eh, Rube Goldberg functionalities to a mask, beyond that of just a dive computer display, already an irritation, in my book, would be a hard sell . . .

Hi Bigbella,

Your comment hit home — especially the part about the initial “cool factor” of a floating HUD, quickly giving way to wanting it out of your face. That tension between hands-free convenience and cognitive clutter is very real.

Your Shearwater + FFM experience is exactly the kind of insight we need to hear more of. And your Rube Goldberg warning? Duly noted — we’ll stay cautious about piling on anything that doesn’t earn its place.

Thanks for the straight talk. It really helps.

Cheers,

DS Team

 

[Mobulai]

Any navigation possibilities? Maybe waypoints?
would love to see how that would be handled conceptually given the limitations ,chat?

 

[Searcaigh]

One has to ask however why Oceanic did not continue with their mask?

While I do like the idea of a HUD, I too would feel it annoying, especially as a photographer looking through a viewfinder.

The other stuff such as fish ID is certainly going to be annoying even if you could sort that out.

 

[andyself]

Any navigation possibilities? Maybe waypoints?
would love to see how that would be handled conceptually given the limitations ,chat?

Thank you, Mobulai — that’s a truly insightful question. We’ve seen similar thoughts from divers who sometimes lose spatial orientation in unfamiliar or current-heavy dive spots. The idea of waypoints or underwater navigation prompts could bring both safety and ease to the dive experience. While this isn’t in our initial feature list, your comment has opened up valuable directions worth exploring further.

 

[andyself]

One has to ask however why Oceanic did not continue with their mask?

While I do like the idea of a HUD, I too would feel it annoying, especially as a photographer looking through a viewfinder.

The other stuff such as fish ID is certainly going to be annoying even if you could sort that out.

Hi Searcaigh,



We really appreciate the perspective — especially from someone with an eye for photography. You’re absolutely right that not every diver will welcome a visual overlay, and we’re learning a lot about how different diving styles demand different levels of immersion.



Your point about Oceanic is well taken. We’re reflecting on why some earlier attempts may not have resonated, and how we might avoid similar friction.



Thanks again for your clarity and candor.



DS Team

 

[Mad MacGyver]

Hi divers!

We’re developing a smart diving mask (project name: DS) that integrates dive computer functions and marine species recognition.

We would love your quick feedback:



⸻




1. Would you like real-time dive data displayed directly on your mask (like a car HUD)?

• A. Very much

• B. Somewhat

• C. Neutral

• D. Not interested



⸻



2. If you could identify marine species you encounter during a dive (and automatically log them), would you use it?

• A. Yes, sounds amazing

• B. Maybe, depending on the experience

• C. Not really needed



⸻



3. If the price is between ¥1000–¥3000 (~$140–$420), would you consider buying it?

• A. Yes

• B. Maybe

• C. No



⸻



Feel free to reply like “1A 2B 3C”. Thank you so much for your help!

1. B
As a concept there are aspects here that appeal to me as someone getting into Scientific Diving. For example, while performing invertebrate or substrate transects, my hands are often extremely task loaded. In my left hand I’ll be simultaneously holding a data collection slate, aiming a flashlight, and laying transect measuring tape, meanwhile my right hand will be writing on the slate, signaling buddies, managing my rig, while remaining free to access my SPG and display data on my wrist mounted PDC to monitor depth, time, compass etc.

However; I would probably prefer something relatively simplistic, providing minimal information and requiring minimal/no effort to use during the dive. I don’t want to make the task loading situation worse by having to fuss with superfluous features, buttons and options mid dive, just relevant data (depth, compass heading, time). Adding more capabilities like cameras, AI and air integration would be a big turn off for me.

2. B or C
It’s a neat concept but I don’t know if I’d trust it for scientific diving or if I’d even want to fuss with trying to interact with my mask just so it can tell me something about an organism while I’m already quite task loaded. If there were a way to easily/effortlessly snap a picture of something for later reference that might be interesting but I’d be hesitant and perhaps even dissuaded from investing in it if that increased the price.

3. A
Those prices seem pretty reasonable compared to ordinary masks, but I’d still want a safe and reliable product no matter what price or however many features it had.

 

[NudiBoop]

Not interested in such a mask, but wanted to applaud @andyself 's posts on our feedback to the initial query. Their posts always express gratitude for the response and are specific and on-target to the feedback presented. Other interactions with data-gatherers should be so well done. Cheers, @andyself !

 

[happy-diver]

Hi happy-diver,

Thanks for your reply ！

We’ll definitely keep your view in mind as we refine what we build — less distraction, more true connection with the ocean.

Dude the mask people removed too much material from the bottom of the nose pocket
when those diving people, complained that there was too much pressure pressing there

Rubber was hard, silicone is not, could you please, return our better sealing nose pocket