Open Ocean Robotics

About

Open Ocean Robotics is a Canadian ocean technology company developing AI-enabled autonomous maritime monitoring systems for safer, more secure, and more sustainable ocean and port operations. The company builds solar-powered uncrewed surface vessels that collect real-time ocean, environmental, acoustic, and maritime domain awareness data in coastal, port, and open-ocean environments. It’s core platform, DataXplorer, is a solar-powered uncrewed surface vehicle designed for long-duration missions and persistent ocean monitoring. Equipped with sensors, cameras, communications systems, and AI-enabled analytics, DataXplorer can support applications such as vessel detection, environmental monitoring, hydrographic and terminal mapping, marine mammal monitoring, underwater noise assessment, asset protection, and maritime security. Open Ocean Robotics’ systems are designed to operate with a minimal environmental and operational footprint. By using renewable energy and autonomous operations, the company provides a lower-emission alternative to traditional crewed monitoring vessels while enabling continuous data collection in areas that may be costly, remote, sensitive, or operationally difficult to monitor. For ports and harbours, Open Ocean Robotics offers a practical platform for digitalization, automation, and intelligent maritime monitoring. Its solutions can help port authorities and terminal operators improve situational awareness, monitor environmental compliance, detect vessels and hazards, understand underwater noise, protect subsea assets, and support safer decision-making around critical maritime infrastructure. The company has demonstrated its technology in real-world port and maritime environments. In Singapore, Open Ocean Robotics won second place in the 2024 PIER71 Smart Port Challenge, an innovation program supported by the Maritime and Port Authority of Singapore and NUS Enterprise, where its solution was recognized for detecting small craft without AIS transponders, identifying unusual behaviours, and delivering real-time alerts through robotics, AI, and long-endurance uncrewed surface vessels. In Canada, Open Ocean Robotics has also supported port deployments in Prince Rupert, where its DataXplorer uncrewed surface vessel has been used to collect acoustic, environmental, weather, and marine mammal data in an active port environment. The Province of British Columbia has also announced support for testing Open Ocean Robotics’ DataXplorer Gen 2 at the Port of Prince Rupert as part of a broader initiative to improve port safety, sustainability, emissions reduction, and dual-use technology adoption. Open Ocean Robotics is actively expanding its international engagement, which aligns closely with the needs of European smart ports, particularly around autonomous maritime systems, infrastructure resilience, environmental monitoring, operational digitalization, and sustainable port operations. With commercially deployed technology, international market validation, and a strong fit with the future of smart, secure, and sustainable ports, Open Ocean Robotics is well positioned to support port authorities, maritime operators, infrastructure owners, and security stakeholders seeking persistent maritime intelligence with a low operational and environmental footprint.