Dive teams in Central Texas are using AI-powered sonar devices called AquaEye to search for victims in flood recovery operations following deadly floods that killed at least 135 people and left over 100 missing. The handheld devices use artificial intelligence to distinguish between debris and human bodies underwater, with search teams reporting an 80-90 percent reduction in search times compared to traditional methods.
Why this matters: Recovery efforts face severe challenges from poor visibility, debris-filled rivers, and ongoing flash flooding along the Guadalupe River, making traditional search methods nearly impossible in conditions with only 6-inch visibility.
How it works: The AquaEye device operates like an underwater radar gun, using high-frequency sound waves analyzed by onboard AI.
- Divers submerge the device, pull the trigger, and sound pulses scan the area while returning echoes are instantly analyzed to distinguish between debris, rocks, and soft tissue that likely indicates a human body.
- The device can scan an area the size of a football field in one minute and pinpoint victim locations.
- At least four teams are currently using the technology in Texas flood recovery operations.
The technology’s origins: AquaEye was originally designed in 2020 by founder and CEO Carlyn Loncaric to help lifeguards and camps locate drowning victims quickly, but the applications expanded as the broader need became apparent.
- “As soon as we started trying to sell it and talk to people, I realized that the need was much greater than I had ever believed,” Loncaric told KENS5.
What they’re saying: The device has been called a “game changer” for search and recovery operations by local officials.
- “It will scan the area of a football field in a minute and pinpoint the location of a victim,” Loncaric told KENS5.
- Rescue volunteer Courtney Adair explained: “You have about 6-inch visibility, which makes searching almost impossible. AquaEye kind of breaks down that barrier. It extends that search area, the radius to better detect soft tissue that we are looking to recover and investigate.”
What’s next: Recovery efforts are expected to continue for months, with federal resources being deployed to assist in the 26 counties included in Texas Governor Greg Abbott’s extended disaster declaration.
Recent Stories
DOE fusion roadmap targets 2030s commercial deployment as AI drives $9B investment
The Department of Energy has released a new roadmap targeting commercial-scale fusion power deployment by the mid-2030s, though the plan lacks specific funding commitments and relies on scientific breakthroughs that have eluded researchers for decades. The strategy emphasizes public-private partnerships and positions AI as both a research tool and motivation for developing fusion energy to meet data centers' growing electricity demands. The big picture: The DOE's roadmap aims to "deliver the public infrastructure that supports the fusion private sector scale up in the 2030s," but acknowledges it cannot commit to specific funding levels and remains subject to Congressional appropriations. Why...
Oct 17, 2025Tying it all together: Credo’s purple cables power the $4B AI data center boom
Credo, a Silicon Valley semiconductor company specializing in data center cables and chips, has seen its stock price more than double this year to $143.61, following a 245% surge in 2024. The company's signature purple cables, which cost between $300-$500 each, have become essential infrastructure for AI data centers, positioning Credo to capitalize on the trillion-dollar AI infrastructure expansion as hyperscalers like Amazon, Microsoft, and Elon Musk's xAI rapidly build out massive computing facilities. What you should know: Credo's active electrical cables (AECs) are becoming indispensable for connecting the massive GPU clusters required for AI training and inference. The company...
Oct 17, 2025Vatican launches Latin American AI network for human development
The Vatican hosted a two-day conference bringing together 50 global experts to explore how artificial intelligence can advance peace, social justice, and human development. The event launched the Latin American AI Network for Integral Human Development and established principles for ethical AI governance that prioritize human dignity over technological advancement. What you should know: The Pontifical Academy of Social Sciences, the Vatican's research body for social issues, organized the "Digital Rerum Novarum" conference on October 16-17, combining academic research with practical AI applications. Participants included leading experts from MIT, Microsoft, Columbia University, the UN, and major European institutions. The conference...