aquaLink

Navy divers perform challenging tasks under difficult conditions that have long-lasting health impacts.

How might we protect both the short- and long-term physical health of our nation’s divers?

aquaLink is a system of wearable devices that records data critical to diver health and safety,

and makes it actionable through real-time alerts and post-dive analytics. TEAM

Dave Ahern: International Policy/Defense AcquisitionHong En Chew: Hardware EngineeringRachel Olney: Product DesignSamir Patel: Mechatronics/Finance

SPONSOR

Jordan Spector & U.S. Navy Special Warfare Group 3U.S. Special Operations Commandaqua

Link This Week Previously Total

Users 2 22 24

Buyers 4 3 7

Experts 3 16 19

Interview Breakdown

Beneficiaries by Time

Time

ResearcherMedical OfficerOperators

Customer Archetype: SEALMale, age 21-32

Competitive, driven, physically fit, mentally resilient

Volunteers to join the Navy; spends 2-4 years training

Volunteers to become a Navy SEAL; spends 1.5-2 years training

Volunteers to join SDV; spends an additional 3-6 months training

Driven by problem solving and technical mastery

Not naturally focused on the long-term health impacts

Highly specialized; constant pursuit of optimization

Friction: time spent lost, short-term/acute health problems

Gaps

Vital Sense pill

? ?

Navy Rebreather Navy Dive Computer

Need AirVitals

SensingVitals

Monitoring

DecompMgmt Geo-

Location

Pivot or Proceed?Geolocation Vitals Monitoring

Type of Need This is the most immediate and active need the most often mentioned pain point.

This is a latent need that the divers are unaware of; and a passive need of the Medical Dive Officers; and an active need of Researchers

Beneficiary Divers, Dive Officers Researchers, Dive Officers, Divers, Dep of Navy, VA

Realistic Goal A work around that will function within specific limitations

A working minimal viable product that ruggedization of off the shelf products and aggregation of sensors

Mission Achievement

Wholesale adoption within SDV, employment throughout broader NSW community; limited commercial opportunities for recreational divers

Adoption within SDV, application throughout NSW, DoD SOF elements, limited application within commercial dive sectors, athletes, etc

Organizational Structure

NSWG 3NSWG 1/2 NSWG 4 NSWG 10 DEVGRU NSWC

NSW

SOCOM US Navy

Staff Staff

S&TL

J8

HPRC

N8

NEDU

UHPI

SDVT-1

Troop

N1 N2 N3 N4 N8

J6 NAVSEAN1-6N1-6N1-6N1/2/3/4/6J4

OT&E

J4J4J1/2/3

N6

PEO-M

DEPLOYMENT FLOWCHART

NSW

N4N8

S&T

PEO-M

PEO-SW

J8-R

J4 N8

NSWG-3

SDVT-1

SDVT-1

NSWG 3

Generate Operational Deficiency Report (ODR)

N8: Preliminary Test

DOD Lab: Lab Test*NAVSEA for Diving

SDVT-1: Field Test

S&T: Nothing Exists → Develop

PEO-M/SW: Tech Exists → Modify or Fund Development

Generate Capability Development Document (CDD)

Generate Capability Requirements Document

Approve and Provide Funding for Necessary Technology

DOD Lab

LT Jordan SpectorLT Derick Shima

Sophie HillMike IovinoBob FoleyRear Adm. Losey

CAPT Travis Schweizer

Mission Model Canvas

Who: SDV/SEAL DiversHow: Master Diver approves usage Commodore of NSWG-3 approves long-term/external funding is not needed, otherwise Commander of NSW needs to approve

KEY PARTNERS KEY ACTIVITIES

KEY RESOURCES

VALUE PROPOSITION BUY-IN / SUPPORT

DEPLOYMENT

BENEFICIARIES

MISSION BUDGET MISSION ACHIEVEMENT FACTORS

- Problem sponsors: Navy Special Warfare Group 3 (NSWG-3), U.S. Special Operations Command (SOCOM)- Commercial partners: mil-spec dive equipment manufacturers

- Fundamental cycle: hypotheses -> MVP (rapid prototyping of hardware/ software) -> stakeholder interviews to evaluate MVP -> pivot and repeat

- Defence procurement expertise: course staff, sponsors, DIUX, liaisons- User expertise: military divers, scientific divers

- Hardware/software prototyping costs (RDT&E from NEDU or SOCOM)- Purchase of existing products on the market for evaluation (NSWG3 or

NAVSOC N-8).

1. Feasibility: At the end of the quarter, SDVT-1/NSWG-3 decide that our proposal merits further development and initiates their internal processes for funding/pilot testing/field deployment i.e. creating the ODR

2. Performance: Our prototype should demonstrate that all critical features can be integrated within given size/weight/cost specs

3. User satisfaction: Seamless integration into current SOP, increased situational awareness

FOLLOW THE PROCESS● SDVT-1/NSWG-3/NSW

CDR create ODR● N8 drafts CDD● J4 will select office to lead

the charge● N8/Ops field test, third-

party labs certify● J8 creates official

requirements● N4 approves funding

End Users (Divers):LT Scott Terry, SDVT-1LT Derick Shima, SDVT-1Other SEALs

InfluencersLT Jordan Spector, SDVT-1Master Diver, SDVT-1

Decision MakersCAPT Travis Schweizer, NSWG-3REAR ADM Brian Losey, NSW

Option 1:Provide a more accurate mechanism for divers to locate the SDV and/or locate deployed objects more efficiently and reduce lost time

Option 2:Record diver location history and make it available for post-dive analytics to aid intelligence generation

Provide information on teammates’ locations to prevent ‘diver missing’ situations

Tech OverviewType Company Equipment Distance Lifetime Pros Cons

Comms Ocean Technology Systems

http://ots.mwrc.net/en/product.php?product_id=45648

100m-1000m 4-8 hours ? ?

Comms Ocean Technology Systems

http://ots.mwrc.net/en/product.php?product_id=45663

200m-3000m 6-8 hours ? ?

Combined Nautilus http://www.nautiluslifeline.com/nautilus_lifeline

2-6 mi/34 mi uhf 24 hours Stores waypoints ?

Comms Casio http://logosease.yamagata-casio.co.jp/en/

Not Listed Not Listed Bone conduction 55m max/2-way

Combined UDI-UTC http://www.utc-digital.com/

<= 500m 8 hrs Pre-formatted Messages

No audio

Comms Ocean Reef http://www.oceanreefgroup.com/pdf/docs/doc_comm_system_specs.pdf

<= 500m 25 hrs ? ?

Location Desert Star Systems http://desertstar.com/diver-technology/

4000ft 6hrs Point-and-shoot to transmitter

Not Covert?

Location Navimate http://www.navimate.com/

100 yds Not Listed Provides location data underwater

Requires pinger on boat

MVP Relative

Ultra-Low frequency RF signal or high frequency sonar

MVP Absolute

Buoy is deployed when a new location fix is needed

Map updates each time buoy is deployed

AquaLink Value Proposition SDVT-1 Diver

Value Proposition Canvas

Customer

Jobs

Products & Services

GainsGain Creators

PainsPain Relievers

Create a gps-buoy or beacon system for divers to locate objects or the SDV Find the SDV or an object more quickly and

with more accurate tools

Time spent lostDifficulty of finding things in the dark underwaterMissions incompleted due to being lost or not being able to find an object or location through dead reckoning.

Complete missionsWithin time constraints

Faster time to find location or object (SDV or other).

A set of beacons that will allow divers to hone in on something.

A deployable GPS chip on a buoy.

Questions

Approval Process?

NSWG 3

NSW

SOCOM CDR

SDVT-1

N4 N8

J6

N6

VICE CDR

S&T PEO-M PEO-SW J8-O J8-R

Generate Operational Deficiency Report (ODR)

Generate Capability Development Document (CDD)

J4 J8

Who Matters?

NSWG 3

NSW

SOCOM CDR

SDVT-1

N4 N8

J6

N6

VICE CDR

S&T PEO-M PEO-SW J8-O J8-R

Generate Operational Deficiency Report (ODR)

Generate Capability Development Document (CDD)

• Technology Readiness Level 1-6• Step 1: No Current Solution = Develop• Step 2: Sync, Collaborate, Leverage Resources• Step 3: Enhance via existing COTS Tech• Quarterly Testing and Evaluation

• TRL 7 or 3+ (needs “ruggedization”/enhancement)• Runs through program manager

J4 J8

BOB FOLEY/SOPHIE HILL/MIKE IOVINO

JORDAN SPECTOR

REAR ADM. LOSEY