TOxAR – Development of a Digital Real-Time Measurement System for Dissolved Pollutants in the Underwater Environment of Divers

The TOxAR project focuses on the development of a digital real-time measurement system that detects and analyzes dissolved pollutants in the underwater environment surrounding divers. The project centers on an integrated system combining sensors, communication technologies, and augmented reality (AR) to significantly enhance occupational safety during underwater operations. The project results provide innovative approaches for protecting both people and the environment and set new benchmarks for maritime research and industry.

Teaser

Underwater operations—such as the recovery of legacy munitions—are associated with considerable risks: invisible pollutants, limited visibility, and the absence of direct warning mechanisms can compromise diver safety. The TOxAR approach addresses these challenges with a digital measurement system that captures and analyzes real-time data and visualizes it directly via an AR display in the diver’s helmet. This allows potential hazards to be identified early and appropriate measures to be taken.

Objectives

The goal of TOxAR is to develop a modular occupational safety system for divers that continuously measures pollutant concentrations in the water and displays the results in real time. At the core of the project is the development of an AR system that projects safety-relevant information—such as position, hazard zones, and mission data—directly into the divers’ field of view.

Technical Innovation

The system is based on a combination of novel sensors capable of detecting and quantifying hazardous substances such as TNT or arsenic-containing chemical agents. A robust underwater communication network transmits the data wirelessly. The specially developed AR display, integrated into the diver’s helmet, presents the information clearly and intuitively. The technical implementation takes into account the specific challenges of underwater environments, including varying pressure conditions, corrosion protection, and limited visibility.

Validation and Results

The complete system was successfully implemented as a laboratory prototype and tested in collaboration with industry partners. Validation results show that the AR-supported display of hazard and positioning data can significantly improve divers’ orientation, efficiency, and safety. Interfaces and power supply were designed to ensure autonomous and reliable operation during longer dives.

Benefits and Outlook

TOxAR represents a significant contribution to occupational safety in underwater operations and to the sustainable monitoring and remediation of maritime legacy contamination. The technologies developed are highly adaptable and offer prospects for use in advanced systems for recreational and scientific diving as well. Future work will focus on further miniaturizing the AR components and transferring the technology to a wider range of application scenarios.