Application Note
Enhancing Ocean Monitoring with Open Ocean Robotics and MaxiMet
How MaxiMet Supports Reliable Weather Monitoring for Open Ocean Robotics
Background
Open Ocean Robotics (OOR) was founded with a clear aim: to make ocean monitoring safer, more affordable, and more sustainable. Its mission is to “protect and understand our oceans by simplifying remote, uncrewed ocean data collection,” helping reduce risks and support the sustainable growth of the $2.5 trillion blue economy.
The company serves four main markets: defence and security, ports, environmental monitoring and offshore energy.
When it comes to environmental monitoring OOR uses its uncrewed surface vehicle (USV), the DataXplorer, to collect precise ocean data, including biogeochemical and physical parameter measurements from the sea surface to depth.
Thanks to its patented self-righting system, DataXplorer can operate in demanding conditions both nearshore and offshore, giving customers access to environmental and weather information that many crewed vessels cannot safely reach.
Barriers to USV performance: why existing weather sensors fell short
Weather is one of the biggest operational challenges for DataXplorer. Strong conditions can limit the USV’s ability to maintain its planned route, especially when wind or current speeds exceed its maximum capabilities.
OOR had previously used a weather sensor on its USVs, but it lacked a key measurement: relative humidity. This was a problem because the weather station is frequently exposed to water when the USV rolls during rough conditions and then self-rights. Reliable humidity measurement was essential but missing.
A compact weather station built for harsh marine environments
Gill MaxiMet Marine is a compact weather station integrated on top of the DataXplorer’s roll bar, which is located at the stern. As part of the second-generation core package, it supports a wide range of applications, including marine mammal monitoring, maritime domain awareness, illegal fishing mitigation, and wider environmental monitoring.
Dr. Fritz Stahr, CTO at Open Ocean Robotics commented:
“By integrating Gill MaxiMet GMX560, USV pilots can track changes in weather conditions and respond in good time by adjusting routes or increasing throttle. The GMX560 also provides the relative-humidity measurement we previously lacked, and its robust IP68 and IP66 protection means it can withstand immersion and powerful water jets. These are critical capabilities for our operations.”
Why MaxiMet Marine
MaxiMet Marine offers features specifically designed to deliver improved performance of weather monitoring capabilities in marine environments.
These include:
- Five measured parameters: wind speed & direction, temperature, humidity, and pressure with multiple additional derived parameters
- IP68 and IP66 environmental protection
- 6-axis compass compensates for tilt and provides pitch and roll data
- Optional GPS function to provide location, GPS timestamp and calculation of true wind if the platform is moving
- Optional heating
- Easy to set-up with multiple output protocols offer a range of integration options
- Low power deployments and IoT applications
- No moving parts increases reliability and reduces maintenance requirements and cost of ownership
Recommended compact weather station for marine applications...
MaxiMet Marine Weather Station
Best suited to applications requiring a complete meteorological view from a single unit. MaxiMet supports onboard monitoring and dynamic positioning systems by delivering multiple weather parameters in a compact, integrated package.
MaxiMet is an advanced compact weather station designed and manufactured by Gill Instruments using proven technology to measure meteorological and environmental parameters to international standards.