ChatGPT said:
Kyocera Corporation has unveiled a significant breakthrough in underwater wireless optical communication (UWOC), achieving data transmission speeds of up to 5.2Gbps, among the fastest fiberless UWOC systems demonstrated to date. The innovation promises to transform real-time, high-volume data exchange for ocean exploration and autonomous underwater vehicle (AUV) operations, allowing immediate access to high-resolution video, sensor data, and imaging for more efficient underwater research and robot control. Kyocera plans to showcase the technology at CES 2026 in Las Vegas from January 6–9 at booth #6501, West Hall.
The company’s UWOC development addresses the longstanding limitations of conventional underwater communication, where audio-based systems are capped at just a few Mbps, restricting instantaneous data sharing. By leveraging a proprietary physical (PHY) layer and optical front-end circuits, Kyocera has engineered a system capable of short-range data transfer at speeds approximately 2.5 times faster than conventional underwater optical communications. The PHY layer converts digital data into laser light beams, providing stability and capacity tailored to challenging underwater conditions.
Kyocera’s UWOC technology incorporates a bandwidth of over 1 GHz, fully utilizing the characteristics of optical semiconductor components to transmit significantly larger amounts of information in a short time. This capability enables high-definition live video streaming, rapid sensor data transfer, and coordinated inspections, making underwater operations faster, safer, and more reliable. The technology is particularly suited for applications in ocean research, AUV missions, and structural inspections where rapid, uninterrupted data exchange is critical.
The company also highlighted the potential for future developments to extend communication distances and further increase capacity, which could accelerate innovation across marine research, industrial inspections, and next-generation underwater ICT infrastructure. The system’s modular design may allow simultaneous data collection from multiple sensors, providing scalable solutions for complex underwater operations.
In addition to UWOC, Kyocera will present other advanced technologies at CES 2026, including AI-based depth sensors, millimeter-wave sensors, and phased-array antenna modules that support autonomous and safe operations in marine and automotive environments.
