Samsung takes a step forward in coral reef restoration

The company has developed Ocean Mode technology, available on Galaxy S24 Ultra, which allows divers to take high-quality underwater images of coral reefs

Hyderabad: Samsung has launched a new technology, Ocean Mode, to assist coral reef restoration activists and researchers in coastal communities with more effective mapping of affected areas.

According to the company, the technology, available on the Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra, allows divers to take high-quality underwater images of coral reefs.

It can reduce several challenges such as motion blur, which occurs when divers swim above the reefs to take photos when capturing such images.

The camera optimises white balance, enhancing underwater content capture and ensuring accurate photos.

The new technology automatically takes photos every two seconds. Images captured in this mode have reduced blue tones and minimised motion blur, achieved through multi-frame processing and adjustments in shutter speed, it stated.

Water absorbs warm colours, such as reds and oranges, which can distort images, leading to less accurate data collection.

Samsung has collaborated with Seatrees, US-based nonprofit organisation, and the University of California San Diego for its ‘Coral in Focus’ initiative.

Seatrees uses a science-based approach to regenerate coral reefs and coastal watersheds, protect coastal ecosystems, enhance biodiversity, and support local community restoration efforts.

With the advanced mobile technology, these organisations aim to create a more efficient process for coral restoration in reefs damaged by climate change, overfishing and ocean pollution, such as discarded fishing nets.

Samsung has supported coral restoration projects in regions that have suffered coral reef declines, and according to the company, over 11,000 coral fragments have already been planted at these project sites.

The Galaxy S22 was Samsung’s first phone series to use components manufactured from recycled discarded fishing nets. Since then. Samsung’s efforts to clean the oceans and help marine ecosystems have continued.

The Ocean Mode, however, is not widely available. It was developed exclusively for coral reef restoration efforts in collaboration with Seatrees, the company stated.