IoT Technology Shedding Light on Uncharted Ocean Secrets

Wahoo Bay in Florida is a beautiful half-acre of sparkling water, home to a marine sanctuary teeming with tropical fish and endangered seagrass. Now, it is on the cutting edge of a technological revolution, with promises to unveil the mysteries of the oceans.

Originally planned as a snorkel park, Wahoo Bay faced delays due to the COVID-19 pandemic. However, this setback has turned into an opportunity. Shipwreck Park Chairman Rob Wyre saw this delay as a chance to create an educational environment. Scientists from various universities were brought in to transform the bay into a testing ground for underwater technologies.

At the heart of this innovation is the Internet of Things (IoT). While IoT is complex in the ocean, it utilizes floating sensors, autonomous vehicles, and wireless robots. These applications have potential uses in science, military operations, commerce, and conservation efforts.

With over 70% of the Earth’s surface covered by oceans and only 5% explored by humans, underwater IoT has the potential to provide real-time data from uncharted waters. This will expand our understanding of marine ecosystems and aid in conservation efforts.

Despite challenges, such as narrow bandwidth and high costs associated with acoustic signaling and energy consumption, developing underwater IoT technologies is crucial. Research groups like the one led by Waleed Akbar at the MIT Media Lab are pioneering low-cost and battery-free IoT technologies, including wireless underwater cameras.

Traditional underwater IoT devices have relied on batteries with limited lifespans, posing challenges for large-scale deployment. Overcoming these challenges will be key to the successful implementation of underwater IoT technologies and the advancement of our understanding of the oceans.