Burnwire Breakthrough and System Upgrades: Making Progress!

Hello everyone!

Apologies for the hiatus—we've been busy with some other sharky projects and also ran into some issues posting updates here. But we're back with some exciting developments to share!

 

Our camera prototype, complete with its enclosed housing, with the Maka Niu (the white device above) attached. Any name suggestions for this setup?

Initially, our plan was to create a straightforward setup using a delay-timed module. However, as we got deeper into the project, it turned out to be a bit more complex and not as user-friendly as we'd hoped, especially since we’re aiming to make this system easy for future users. To improve the design, we decided to switch to an Arduino-based system. (And don’t worry—all development notes and code will be made open-access!)

 

The upgraded Arduino system: streamlined and efficient, using only minimal components

We also added a switch system to simplify things, so now there's no need to open the enclosure to access the timer. After countless rounds of trial and error, we’re thrilled to report that our burnwire system is finally up and running! Here’s a sample shot from our recent testing:

 

Left: Burnwire activating to release the weight. Right: Camera POV during deployment

The next big step is pressure-proofing everything to withstand the depths we’ll be working at. We’re testing several epoxies to seal the burnwire housing and prevent water from entering the enclosure through the wire gaps—an issue we encountered in earlier tests. Once we find the right solution, we’ll be ready for deployment.

Throughout this project, our goal goes beyond simply developing the camera—we’re also working to increase awareness about the deep sea, especially since local research is limited due to gaps in technology and expertise. During testing, we take the time to answer any questions people have about the system and the mysteries of the deep sea, sharing knowledge and sparking curiosity along the way!

 

Testing has drawn a crowd—kids were especially curious, gathering around to see the footage from the camera!

Thanks for your patience, and we’re excited to keep you updated as we move forward!

Best, Titus