Valtamer and Haltian: Engineering a touchscreen tablet for the deep

Jouni Leinikki, CEO of Valtamer, had spent years working with underwater technology. His previous product was a waterproof case that allowed an off-the-shelf tablet to function beneath the surface, a workaround that served its purpose but came with real limits. Bulky hardware, restricted gestures, reliance on 3rd party technology that would disappear from the market without a warning. He wanted something purpose-built.

The challenge was finding someone who could build it.

Jouni’s previous product development partner withdrew at the last minute, deeming the project impossible. A mutual acquaintance eventually pointed him toward Haltian.

Designing a touch sensitive device to withstand pressure at depth is a fundamentally different engineering challenge from standard waterproofing. Haltian’s solution addressed both the structural demands of operating at depth and the usability requirements that make the device practical in the field.

When a key component supplier ran into serious difficulties mid-project and ceased operations entirely, Haltian moved fast. A full technology pivot was executed, new components, new technical approach. “That’s where the professionalism really showed,” Jouni says. “How quickly they were able to rebuild around a completely different solution.”

The project involved nearly every engineering discipline Haltian operates: mechanical design, antenna design, electronics, and software development. Strong project management was central to keeping the collaboration on track. “The collaboration has been really smooth,” Jouni says. “Haltian has shown an impressive ability to pull together the right people, fast.”

“Working with Haltian has been a pleasure, and the partnership exudes a sense of confidence and competence. Haltian’s honesty and craftsmanship in their work have been commendable.”

– Jouni Leinikki, CEO, Valtamer

The rugged tablet has been tested extensively in real conditions. The team has traveled to the Canary Islands on two occasions to validate the product in open water, stress-testing the display and overall performance under real-world conditions. Testing has also taken place in Finland, including dives under ice. Testing confirmed the device operates reliably at depths of up to 150 meters.

The underwater tablet was developed in collaboration with the Naval Submarine Medical Research Laboratory (NSMRL), a U.S. Navy research institution, as part of a project to bring neurocognitive performance testing underwater. The goal was to give researchers and military divers a portable, self-contained tool for assessing cognitive function in demanding environments, depth, cold water, high pressure, without requiring fixed infrastructure to do it.

The device is now approaching type approval. Once certified, Valtamer will begin full-scale sales, with pre-sales activity already underway. Target segments include underwater research, marine archaeology, and the inspection and maintenance of ships, submarines, and subsea infrastructure. Divers who currently navigate inspection tasks with laminated paper checklists and wax pencils will have an alternative that travels with them, displays full engineering drawings in PDF format, and works at depth. The device is also ideal for attaching additional equipment commonly used in diving scenarios, such as cameras and three-dimensional positioning devices that can be connected wirelessly.

The collaboration between Haltian and Valtamer is set to continue through at least late 2027. Planned development work will build on the foundation already in place, refining the product, extending its capabilities, and supporting Valtamer’s go-to-market activities.

“Haltian has become a genuine partner in this project,” Jouni says. “When development needs arise, they’re the natural choice. No one knows this product better.”

For Haltian, the Valtamer project is a demonstration of what demanding product development actually looks like in practice: a long-horizon commitment to a technically ambitious brief, the flexibility to adapt when things don’t go to plan, and the depth of expertise to take on the projects others turn away from.