Industrial - Bachelor

Watchman Coral AOU

The Watchman AOU is an autonomous coral observation and sensor unit designed for ease of use, fast deployment, and minimal labour intensity. It enables practitioners to monitor and maintain restoration projects more efficiently, improving the overall ease and effectiveness of long-term restoration management.

Elliot Borrowdale

the problem

Beyond their natural beauty, coral reefs support around 30% of all marine life, protect the coastlines of 26% of countries, and generate more than 56 billion dollars each year. However, rising sea temperatures, ocean pollution, and destructive marine practices are causing reefs to die faster than they can recover, with scientific consensus confirming that degradation now outpaces natural restoration. When exposed to environmental stress, corals undergo bleaching, a process in which individual polyps eject their internal single-celled algal symbionts, turning them pale or white. Deprived of the energy needed for growth and reproduction, bleached corals weaken reef structures, destabilise ecosystems, and reduce food availability for countless marine species.

Coral restoration, the process of assisting the recovery of damaged or degraded ecosystems, has become a critical global effort. Yet despite its importance, 30–40% of restoration projects fail due to ongoing environmental, logistical, and operational challenges. This underscores the urgent need to address these limitations to improve immediate outcomes and allow larger-scale, long-term initiatives the time to take effect.

constraints of monitoring

Key findings from the research revealed that restoration relies heavily on divers carrying out physically demanding tasks with limited resources and minimal funding. Most projects operate in remote, volunteer-driven settings with little capital or infrastructure, and many depend on outdated, manually operated equipment. These conditions highlight the lack of scalable, cost-effective monitoring and maintenance systems capable of operating efficiently despite constraints in funding and labour. Current coral monitoring relies on teams of divers manually inspecting and recording project sites, a process that demands significant equipment, physical effort, and time in the water, making it infrequent and laborious. In most cases, the tools available are limited to basic underwater cameras, pens, and diving slates.

WAtchman coral aou

The Watchman AOU helps practitioners improve the ease and efficiency of monitoring and maintenance during restoration projects. It is an autonomous coral observation and sensor unit designed for simplicity, fast deployment, and minimal labour intensity. Through autonomous real-time monitoring and streamlined data collection aligned with existing metrics, the Watchman integrates smoothly into current workflows, supporting more consistent and efficient reef restoration.

functionality

The Watchman operates through a twin camera system that keeps coral targets visible in every frame, reducing the need for precise manual positioning during deployment. Ambient light sensors trigger image capture only during daylight hours to maintain clear, consistent visibility, while a temperature sensor records water conditions alongside each image to provide a detailed view of reef health over time.
Powered by AA batteries and storing data on a 128GB SD card, the device allows quick, intuitive swaps using common components, minimising downtime between deployments and meeting the practical constraints of remote locations.
Designed for three months of continuous operation, the Watchman aligns with the typical monitoring intervals of restoration projects, fitting seamlessly into existing workflows. Its rounded outer shell reduces biofouling and protects the cameras, allowing for fast cleaning between uses. Engineered for continuous submersion up to 30 metres, the device suits the 0–20 metre depth range where most restoration work occurs.

ocean deployment

The Watchman is deployed during scheduled restoration trips, integrating seamlessly into existing workflows and making efficient use of dive teams already on site. For flotation, it uses off-the-shelf buoys and is anchored with simple, non-invasive weights that are reef-safe, avoiding the damage often caused by traditional anchors.

During setup, divers use the positioning marker on the lens port to quickly align and orient the cameras for optimal coverage. The device’s shock ties enable fast underwater height adjustments, with an opening range and teeth gauge that accommodate up to 15 millimetres of rope variation, allowing secure and adaptable placement across varying reef conditions.

design for manufacture

submersion proof shell

electronic housing

physical prototype

servicing and cleaning

DATA/POWER ACCESS

A key aspect of the design is user accessibility, allowing practitioners to access internal storage and power through a protected opening in the submersion-proof shell without compromising size or security. The electronic housing and access point were developed in tandem to optimise this feature, ensuring easy maintenance while preserving the device’s compact and durable form.

CLEANING AND DISASSEMBLY

The internal unit is accessed by removing the lens port assembly. The device’s disassembly is designed for quick cleaning and simple maintenance, allowing users to reach and service key components easily between deployments when needed.

Elliot Borrowdale

Elliot possesses a strong interest in sustainable design and an appreciation for simplicity and refined aesthetics. He aims to use design as a means of achieving purposeful, well considered outcomes that balance functionality, clarity, and long-term value.