The ocean covers over 70% of the Earth’s surface, yet remains one of the least observed and understood environments due to the logistical and technological challenges involved in data collection.
Sofar Ocean is on a mission to close this global ocean data gap. The maritime tech company builds compact, cost-effective, and extremely durable metocean buoys called Spotters, which marine professionals deploy to collect ocean data at scale. Spotter buoys measure waves, wind, sea surface temperature, barometric pressure, and other variables — providing real-time insights that power advancements in research, coastal resilience, climate science, and other critical fields.
Sofar also operates its own global network of free-drifting Spotters, which collects ocean data at a planetary scale. This unprecedented dataset powers Sofar’s proprietary marine weather forecasts, which are up to 50% more accurate than traditional forecasts.
The Challenge
Dan Breyre, Product Lead at Sofar, and his team needed a satellite communications solution that could deliver real-time data from Spotters located in remote ocean locations far beyond the reach of traditional networks.
The solution needed to provide consistent, reliable transmission and give Sofar’s customers up-to-the-minute data access from even the most isolated ocean regions.
The Solution
Sofar selected the RockBLOCK 9602 satellite modem from Ground Control, which offers reliability, ease of use, and adaptability. RockBLOCK 9602 is compact and rugged, ideal for Sofar’s distributed sensor arrays that must endure the ocean’s harsh conditions.
The modem supports consistent, two-way communication via the reliable and globally-available Iridium satellite constellation, which enables Sofar and its customers to access critical data and send firmware commands back to Spotters when needed. This functionality has proven indispensable for sustaining Sofar’s distributed sensing technology and advancing its mission to democratize ocean data access.
“Ground Control provides reliability, consistency, and ease of use, all of which are vital for our disruptive distributed sensing technology.” – Dan Breyre, Product Lead, Sofar Ocean
Utilizing RockBLOCK 9602, Sofar has been able to achieve extensive spatial coverage with its Spotters across vast oceanic regions, transmitting valuable insights that inform better decision-making by marine professionals.
The immediate and accurate data that Spotters deliver improves operational efficiency for ocean industry and empowers researchers, governments, and coastal communities to better understand and respond to changing marine and climate conditions.
Sofar continues to push the boundaries of ocean data collection. Its vision includes expanding the types of data Spotter collects, further reducing the size and latency constraints of the platform, and enhancing the spatial coverage of the Spotter network. Sofar strives to continuously expand access to actionable data that helps its customers address the most pressing ocean challenges.
Can we help you with remote data collection?
Ground Control has over 20 years’ experience in delivering reliable satellite IoT and tracking solutions.
If you have an asset or sensor(s) in a remote location, we can help you extract your data cost-effectively and in close to real-time.
Email hello@groundcontrol.com for more information, or complete the form, and we’ll be in touch within one working day.