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In 1993 AIMS scientist, Bruce
Macdonald, developed what is considered to be the world’s first general
purpose underwater computer |
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Figure
1: The
wearable WetPCâ
underwater computer being trialled on the
Great Barrier Reef
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Called the
WetPCâ
(Figure 1), it comprised a miniature personal
computer with a mask-mounted virtual display and
a novel one-handed controller - called a
Kordâ
pad.
The computer was mounted in a waterproof housing
on the diver’s air tank. A cable from it
connected to the waterproof virtual display
which presented the diver with a high contrast
display “floating” in the field of view. A
second cable was connected to the Kordâ
Pad, a 5-key device which the diver could hold
in either hand and which was used to control the
computer by pressing single or multiple keys. A
Chordic Graphical User Interface (CGUI) shows
the user which key (or keys) to press.
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Figure
2: Example
of a CGUI
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The
CGUI (Figure 2) facilitates the wearability and
useability of the
WetPCâ
underwater computer. It was the result of
several years of research into interface design
and functionality. Rather like playing a
piano, the user can interact with the computer
in a very natural way - so much so the diver can
access and record information with one hand -
even whilst swimming.
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AIMS soon recognised that the
WetPCâ
underwater computer and its interface were highly innovative and had
considerable commercial potential. Independent assessments had shown that
no similar technologies were available in the world at the present time.
Applications for the technologies could extend to: defence, wearable computers,
games, vehicleonics, mobile phones, remote controllers, handicapped aids, and
internet appliances
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Figure
3: The
then Minister for Industry, Science and
Technology, Hon. John Moore (right), witnesses
the Licence Agreement between WetPC and AIMS
while WetPC's Managing Director, Dr Peter
Moran looks on. |
One of AIMS’ main objectives as a federal
statutory authority is to transfer technology for the benefit of Australian
industry and the Australian community. Consequently, it has protected the
technologies by lodging patent applications in a number of countries.
On the 2nd of October 1998 it signed a
licence agreement (Figure 3) which gives WetPC Pty
Ltd the exclusive rights to exploit the technologies for world
markets.
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Due to AIMS'
efforts, Australia is now in an excellent position to
develop a new industry, and to become a world leader, in
mobile computing technologies.
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