The deep ocean below 200 m remains largely unexplored

The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) awarded a $2,399,838 Cooperative Agreement under the Integrated Ocean Observing System (IOOS) Federal Grant Program (CFDA 11.012) to Ocean Discovery League, Inc., a non-profit organization, to develop the Modular Ocean Discovery System (MODS). This customizable deep-sea exploration system aims to reduce financial and technical barriers to ocean research by providing affordable access to depths of 1,500 meters. MODS will integrate AI-driven data processing tools and be supported by extensive training and capacity-building programs for underserved coastal communities. The project, with a period of performance from June 1, 2024 to May 31, 2027, will create a suite of interchangeable sensing and operational modules to enable tailored ocean exploration missions for a diverse set of users.

Due to financial and logistical barriers, current deep-sea technology is inaccessible to most people and coastal countries. The ocean discovery league (ODL) proposes to develop a deep-diving, low-cost modular ocean discovery system (mods), to lower the financial and technical barriers to deep-sea exploration and research. Mods is a novel, customizable tool consisting of interchangeable sensing and operational modules deployable in various configurations tailored to user mission objectives. The high degree of modularity gives users considerable freedom to choose their missions and create a technological solution that will meet their needs. Mods will integrate with our artificial intelligence-driven data processing tools for video and sensor data aggregation, analysis, and archiving to accelerate the pace of discovery for our users. We will work to develop long-term capacity within local communities. To achieve maximum impact for historically under-served communities within the ioos domain, we are partnering with pacific islands ocean observing system (pacioos). Pacioos supports ocean users and stakeholders throughout the pacific islands by providing accurate and reliable coastal and ocean information, tools, and services that are easy to access and use. We will leverage the pacioos network of communities, regional liaisons, and their data visualization platform to provide low-cost ocean sensor technology and bolster community capacity. We are committed to developing capacity by CO-designing mods with communities and will provide extensive training, user support, and workshops to help address knowledge gaps concerning ocean technology and foster networking opportunities. At ODL, we have a track record of success in developing low-cost ocean sensors. Our first low-cost sensor system, maka NIU (1,500 m depth, ~$900 USD), was created in 2020-2021, eleven units of which are currently in the field worldwide. In 2020, we developed a prototype modular system, wayfinder (300 m depth), which provided critical lessons in developing modular oceanographic systems. We aim to combine the strengths of the two systems to culminate in the deep-diving, innovative exploration system, mods. To develop mods and enable capacity on a community level, we aim to achieve an operational depth for modular systems of 1,500 meters; develop a suite of modules, including sensing modules (e.g., O2/CO2, acoustic sensors) and operational modules (e.g., lighting, propulsion); develop a user interface for mods that is robust and accessible while reducing the reliance on technical expertise for operation; enable upload to a cloud-based data and video management system for AI-driven data analysis, archiving, and sharing; train test users and gather feedback on the operation of mods; and, support capacity building at a local community level through developing technical and networking workshops for users.