AI sonar “AquaEye” helps Texas dive teams find flood victims 80% faster

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.