News

Underwater photographers can hardly wait to get back to the surface to share amazing images. But soon, they may not have to wait.

Scientists have invented a prototype underwater Internet that uses beams of light to send data to and from the surface. The up-and-coming technology, called “Aqua-Fi” is detailed in a new study that explores the potential to deliver Internet underwater using wireless optical networks. 

“We have created a relatively cheap and flexible way to connect underwater environments to the global Internet,” writes lead author Basem Shihada. “We hope that one day, Aqua-Fi will be as widely used underwater as WiFi is above water.”

If the tech sounds a bit futuristic, then you won’t be surprised to hear Aqua-Fi involves high-powered laser beams. The 520-nanometer laser beam sends a long series of 0s and 1s—binary code—to a computer, which in turn converts the signal into an image.

Just imagine: Recording a live Instagram selfie with a whale passing through the background. Although, the scientists admit that future is a little distant.

“We hope to improve the link quality and the transmission range with faster electronic components,” says Shihadi in regard to the challenges the researchers face.

For now, we will have to wait to get back to the surface to post that whale of a selfie. 

Read more, here.