An Energy-Efficient, Battery-Free, Wireless Underwater Camera — Powered by Sound

MIT researchers have developed a battery-free, wireless underwater camera that is about 100,000 times more energy-efficient than other undersea cameras. The device takes color photos — even in dark, underwater environments — and transmits image data wirelessly through the water. Watch this video to learn more about the autonomous camera that is powered by sound.

“One of the most exciting applications of this camera for me personally is in the context of climate monitoring. We are building climate models, but we are missing data from over 95 percent of the ocean. This technology could help us build more accurate climate models and better understand how climate change impacts the underwater world,” says Fadel Adib , associate professor in the Department of Electrical Engineering and Computer Science and director of the Signal Kinetics group in the MIT Media Lab, and senior author of a new paper on the system.