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Underwater Text-Messager Makes SCUBA Diving Safer 
Filed under: Cell Phones, Computers, CES 2008
If there are any of you out there who are avid scuba divers, then we're sure you're well acquainted with the dangers and difficulties that go along with such a hobby. Most difficult of all when exploring what lies beneath the waves is maintaining a line of communication. So UTC (Underwater Technology Center) has developed the Underwater Digital Device or UDI.
The UDI is a wrist-wearable diving computer that not only keeps logs of your dive, but also allows you to communicate with other divers and your boat. The UDI uses 2-way text-messaging, over a distance of up to 500 meters (or about 1,640 feet). There is no keyboard, so divers send any of 14 preset messages ("Watch out for that shark!") Over the same range, the devices can also be used as homing beacons so divers can find their boat.
There is also an SOS beacon which functions at up to 1000 meters (almost 3,300 feet) letting other divers and the boat know you're in trouble. The SOS beacon can also be activated remotely, so if your buddy looks like he's in trouble, you can activate his SOS beacon for him. And with an estimated eight-hour battery life (assuming one message being sent every four minutes), this thing won't die right in your moment of need.
We caught a glipse and got some hands-on with two of these underwater wrist gizmos this morning at the Cherry Picks demo-fest this morning and thought they could be useful and fun for us if we ever actually go scuba diving.
Though the UDI was announced back in October, it seems to have been virtually ignored by most outlets, so we're writing about it now, since it looks like it's finally shipping at the price of $1,500.
Filed under: Cell Phones, Computers, CES 2008
If there are any of you out there who are avid scuba divers, then we're sure you're well acquainted with the dangers and difficulties that go along with such a hobby. Most difficult of all when exploring what lies beneath the waves is maintaining a line of communication. So UTC (Underwater Technology Center) has developed the Underwater Digital Device or UDI.
The UDI is a wrist-wearable diving computer that not only keeps logs of your dive, but also allows you to communicate with other divers and your boat. The UDI uses 2-way text-messaging, over a distance of up to 500 meters (or about 1,640 feet). There is no keyboard, so divers send any of 14 preset messages ("Watch out for that shark!") Over the same range, the devices can also be used as homing beacons so divers can find their boat.
There is also an SOS beacon which functions at up to 1000 meters (almost 3,300 feet) letting other divers and the boat know you're in trouble. The SOS beacon can also be activated remotely, so if your buddy looks like he's in trouble, you can activate his SOS beacon for him. And with an estimated eight-hour battery life (assuming one message being sent every four minutes), this thing won't die right in your moment of need.
We caught a glipse and got some hands-on with two of these underwater wrist gizmos this morning at the Cherry Picks demo-fest this morning and thought they could be useful and fun for us if we ever actually go scuba diving.
Though the UDI was announced back in October, it seems to have been virtually ignored by most outlets, so we're writing about it now, since it looks like it's finally shipping at the price of $1,500.
