Staying ahead of the technology curve means strengthening your competitive advantage. That is why we give you data-driven innovation insights into the maritime industry. This time, you get to discover 5 hand-picked startups developing underwater acoustics solutions.
Global Startup Heat Map: 5 Top Underwater Acoustics Solutions
The 5 startups you will explore below are chosen based on our data-driven startup scouting approach, taking into account factors such as location, founding year, and relevance of technology, among others. This analysis is based on the Big Data & Artificial Intelligence (AI)-powered StartUs Insights Discovery Platform, covering over 1.3 million startups & scaleups globally.
The Global Startup Heat Map below highlights the 5 startups & scaleups our Innovation Researchers curated for this report. Moreover, you get insights into regions that observe a high startup activity and the global geographic distribution of the 75 companies we analyzed for this specific topic.
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Seaviews builds Photogrammetry Techniques
The most unexplored region on the planet is the surface of our oceans. Unlike exploration of above-ground areas, water creates several challenges especially when it comes to communication. Sending communication signals through the air is a simple task but doing the same through water reduces the range of signals while also decreasing the quality of the signal. Startups are developing solutions geared towards better communication for underwater applications.
French startup Seaviews provides services solely focused on underwater mapping and exploration. Their solutions in underwater acoustics include surveys of campaigns in propagation, measurement of radiated noise, simulation of the propagation, analysis of the acoustic tractography, and acoustic telemetry. Seaviews continuously executes R&D projects in 3D underwater mapping.
Marecomms produces an Underwater Acoustic Modem
The use of underwater vehicles has many purposes, including exploration and sub-sea cabling maintenance. The limitation of remotely operated underwater vehicles (ROVs) and similar vehicles lies in the communication between the controller or surface and the vehicle itself. With current underwater communication technologies, the quality of the data reduces and the number of errors grows as the depth increases. That is why startups develop communication systems to overcome these problems and expand the scope of underwater technologies.
Canadian startup Marecomms creates an underwater communication solution called ROAM (Robust Acoustic Modem). The modem provides reliable capabilities in the wireless transmission of images, videos, and sensor data compared to existing transmission technologies. Their technology reduces the number of errors in the data received from underwater exploration and achieves a transmission distance of up to 1km.
Pytheas Technology develops Transducers for Underwater Acoustics
Underwater communication is not easily achieved through electromagnetic waves as the signal gets absorbed very quickly. Free space optics does not suffer from signal absorption issues but require clear visibility which is not always guaranteed. Therefore, sound is the preferred mode of communication for underwater data. Startups build and improve transducers that are one of the most critical components for underwater communication.
French startup Pytheas designs and manufactures transducers and hydrophones for short- and long-range underwater communication. The frequency covered by their antennas ranges from 100Hz to a few hundred kHz, tailored to the nature of exploration – from surface exploration to deep-sea investigation. The startup also designs custom high power transducers such as Tonpilz, Janus-Helmholtz, Free-flooded ring, and low noise factor hydrophones for deep-sea and specialized underwater acoustic applications.
SeaState5 creates Underwater Acoustic Screen Solutions
The rise in green energy production and the popularity of offshore wind farms are hugely beneficial for humans and the environment but have some negative consequences for ocean ecosystems. Animals that communicate primarily through sounds such as whales and dolphins are heavily impacted by the acoustic vibrations generated from wind farms. Because wind farm use increases, startups are developing solutions to minimize their impact on ocean ecosystems.
Netherlands-based startup SeaState5 manufactures an acoustic screen that absorbs the noise created during the installation process of wind turbines. Their acoustic panel uses engineered metamaterials with acoustic absorption characteristics that are superior to foam, polymer, and rubber solutions. Additionally, their solution works passively, requiring zero-energy, and is optimized for use in offshore wind turbines through its foldable structure and ease of installation.
Kunste works on Ultrasonic Anti-Fouling Systems
Unlike land and aeronautical vehicles, the maintenance of the body of ships and boats is more challenging due to the constantly submerged underside. The accumulation of substances on the bottom of a vessel hinders performance and gradually degrades the structural integrity. Currently, solutions to counter these effects include coatings that offer only a temporary measure and have to be reapplied. Startups are developing acoustic solutions that use transducers to stop the fouling of ship hulls.
Italian startup Kunste manufactures an ultrasonic system that reduces fouling when placed at the bottom of a ship’s hull. The purpose of the solution is to decrease the harmful effects of microorganisms present in water bodies. The result of using Kunste’s ultrasonic systems over traditional coatings leads to a reduction in the overall cost of maintenance for boat owners and operators in the long-term.
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