AquaLink

Navy divers perform challenging tasks under challenging conditions, and having the right equipment can be a tremendous capability

multiplier. How might we improve the operational effectiveness of our

nation’s divers? AquaLink is an ecosystem of devices that provides added situational

awareness to divers and their supporting elements to aid mission success. 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 CommandA

quaL

ink

This Week Previously Total

Users 6 37 43

Buyers 3 14 17

Experts 1 20 21

Interview Breakdown

Act

1a. Test Buoy MVP in water

1b. Test Electronics MVP

2. Test Buoy + Electronics in water

3. Find Commercial Application

Observe

Buoy is waterproof to 10’

GPS readout on LCD over 50’ of cable

Who else has done this?

RecapOrient

Customer discovery interviews

Do we yet have Product-Market Fit?(with diagrams of MVP - we seem to be on the right track)

Explore dual-use applicability

Decide

Need physical MVPs to gauge buy-in

and validate Product-Market Fit (we need to put something in the customer's hands)

Need to test for Feasibility

Find Commercial Applications

2

34

1

Key Activities/ResourcesCustomer Discovery ManufacturingOutreach TestingFunding

H4D ClassSDVT-1129th Rescue Wing

Full TimeSOCOM Demo

SOCOM RDT&ESOCOM DemoSBIR

Partners HousingIntegration

Laboratory● Jabil

Field● SDV-1● SOCOM● PEO-M

Resources, Partners, & Activities Diagram

Customer Discovery ManufacturingOutreach Testing

Course Staff, Military Liaisons, Mentors, DIUX

Approval

SOCOMSDVT-1

129th Rescue Wing

Funding

Pro

toty

ping

Dep

loym

ent

?J8 Office of Testing and Evaluation

Deployment?May June July Aug Sep NovOct

Legend: Testing EquippingOperational

SDV-

1N

SWG-

3N

SWCO

MSO

COM

Prototype Refinement

PEO-M

ODR CDD

SBIR

CDD Validation

J8: Test & Eval

Prototype Eval

Finance Funds for MVP creation

Supply Chain Resources for Manufacturing

Physical Manufacturing Facilities, Testing Facilities

Human Advisors for: Guidance on Process, Military Expertise, Operator KnowledgeNetwork of support to enable process.

Mission Model Canvas

Who: SDV/SEAL DiversHow: Commodore of NSWG-3 approves if 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

Conduct Customer Discovery

Outreach to key partners

Design and Manufacture MVPs

Test MVPs for functionality and with customers

Obtain approval by Navy

- Hardware/software prototyping costs (RDT&E from SOCOM)- Purchase of existing products on the market for evaluation (NSWG-3 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

4. Increase Mission Capabilities: Reduce the time it would take for the diver to get a GPS fix 500% increase in efficiency.

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)

InfluencersSWG 3

Decision MakersNSWG-3NSW

Research Entities

Commercial DiversFishing

Tourism

NSWGProvide greater situational awareness for SDVT-1 with a mechanism for the SDV to obtain absolute location and comms while staying underwater and minimizing exposure.

Research EntitiesProvide a periodic check in from equipment placed in the field.

Commercial Divers and FishingEnable the location of assets.

Tourism DiversFind lost tourists or have an automatic location check in.

SOCOM: Provide funds

NextFlex: Materials Supplier

Stanford PRL/AOERC: Enable manufacturing and Testing

Problem sponsors: Navy Special Warfare Group 3 (NSWG-3), U.S. Special Operations Command (SOCOM)

Course Faculty and Staff, DIUX, Military Liaisons:

AquaLink Value Proposition SDVT-1 Diver

Value Proposition Canvas

Customer

Jobs

Products & Services

GainsGain Creators

PainsPain Relievers

A device that enables the SDV/dive pairs to:1. Obtain absolute location 2. Obtain comms link

Enhanced situational awareness of location of self and others on-demand with minimal exposure

Time spent lostDifficulty of finding objects or the SDV underwater in poor visibilityAvoidable incomplete missions due to lack of a convenient comms channel for C2 node to update SDV/divers and adapt plan of action on the fly

Complete assigned mission within time constraints

An easily accessible GPS fixAn easily accessible satcom network between dive pairs, SDV, and C2 node

A small form factor, easily deployable and retrievable buoy with GPS and satcom capability

AquaLink Value Proposition Research Diver/Oil & Gas

Value Proposition Canvas

Customer

Jobs

Products & Services

GainsGain Creators

PainsPain Relievers

1. Able to geo-tag observations of ROVs Use of ROV/UUVsAccess to inertial navigation units

Inability to capture absolute location of observed activity

Complete research mission tasks

An easily accessible GPS fixAn easily accessible satcom network between divers

A small form factor, easily deployable, retrievable, and economic buoy with GPS and satcom capability

MVP: Position Communication

Data Out: Position & IDData In: Positions & IDsVersion 1.0/2.0: SDV BuoyVersion 3.0: Small Scale Diver Buoy

MVP: Initial Physical Builds

MVP: Initial Physical Builds

GPSIRIDIUM

LCD Screen

MVP: Initial Physical Builds

Mission AchievementVersion 1.0: GPS/Iridium Version 2.0: Motor Driven Version 3.0: Scaleable

NSWG Operators:● Provide enhanced location to the

SDV

NSWG Commanders:● Provide Increased situational

awareness (know where the SDV is actually at)

Scientific Divers:● Location-tracking for

Researchers, Mapping/Locations of Interest

General Population:● Waterproof Case for Deep Sea

Diving

NSWG Operators:● Enhanced operations● Time/distance features

Ocean-based Communications: Shipping, Travel, Tactical

Emergency Signals:Distress

NSWG Operators:Provide similar location + comms capability to dive pairs

Commercial Dive Masters:● Able to track all divers● Divers who get lost have an

means to communicate back to boat crew and dive master

Questions