Solar-powered, autonomous boats patrol, collect data
Open Oceans Robotics thinks its uncrewed, autonomous and solar-powered boats could be key to understanding our vastly unexplored oceans, enforcing illegal fishing and so much more.
The origin of Open Ocean Robotics can be traced back to Hurricane Vince, the most north-easterly Atlantic hurricane ever. In the midst of this tempest, in a small plywood rowboat, were Julie and Colin Angus. The newly engaged couple spent five months successfully completing the first human-powered row from mainland Europe to North America.
From there, they partnered with National Geographic and Random House, and spent decades exploring remote parts of the world in rowboats, sailboats and white-water kayaks. After these adventures, they started their first boat company, Angus Rowboats, to hone their craft-building skills. Moved by their love and respect for the ocean, they decided to help protect coastal waters from abuses such as oil spills, trafficking, and illegal fishing by starting Open Ocean Robotics in 2019.
Plan to grow to 500 staff in five years
Their aim is to protect the oceans using autonomous uncrewed solar-powered vessels to patrol coastal waters to collect data, crack down on illegal activities, detect oil spills, and monitor climate change. With nearly $5 Million raised from investors and grants, the pair just received another $300,000 by capturing a top prize at the NexStream 2.0 Tech Challenge. Read more here…