Oshen, a company developing fully autonomous, wind-driven robotic vessels for remote ocean sensing, has secured investment from the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (DEFRA). The funding will be used to further develop Oshen’s innovative end-to-end sensor platforms for collecting real-time ocean data, focusing on their biodiversity monitoring applications.
Anahita Laverack, Co-Founder & CEO of Oshen said: “After completing an initial feasibility study for DEFRA last year, I am thrilled at this vote of confidence on our marine monitoring platforms for marine mammal and environmental monitoring.”
Oshen's mission is to bridge the gap in current data collection systems, which rely on costly and outdated technologies such as buoys and unmanned ships. The company's 4 ft wind-driven robotic vessels, resembling miniature sailboats, are designed to offer a more cost-effective and scalable solution for continuous monitoring of waves and weather across the oceans. These vessels gather meteorological, visual, and acoustic data, providing valuable insights for marine mammal monitoring, marine protected areas, climate change research, and live weather data for forecasts.
(Image credit: Oshen)
Vicki Castro-Spokes, Program Director for Defra’s Marine Natural Capital & Ecosystem Assessment Program, said: “Defra’s Marine Natural Capital & Ecosystem Assessment Program is delighted to announce its investment in Oshen, which is playing a key role in advancing a next-generation marine monitoring technology.
Their micro-vessels could present a step-change in access to low cost, scalable data acquisition. Investing in innovative systems such as Oshen, will be pivotal to advancing our biodiversity observation capabilities in UK waters.”
Oshen's successful funding from DEFRA marks a significant milestone in the company's journey toward advancing marine monitoring technologies. With this support, Oshen aims to enhance the UK’s ability to gather and analyze crucial ocean data, contributing to a deeper understanding of marine ecosystems and supporting conservation efforts.
