Data Xplorer has been optimized to host a broad range of sensors. Standard environmental sensors in all boats include 360 degree cameras, weather station (wind speed and direction, barometric pressure, and air temperature), triducer (depth, water temperature, and speed relative to water) and wave sensor. The vessel also has an AML sensor bay, which allows for a large variety oceanographic sensors, such as chlorophyll, turbidity, salinity, dissolved oxygen, to be installed. An optional transducer mount allows the integration of a multibeam depth sounder, ADCP or side scan sonar. Additional sensors that can be outfitted include radar, thermal cameras, hydrophone arrays and much more.

Rough oceans are a dangerous place for humans, and a key design consideration was creating a vessel that can safely gather data in all sea states. How can such tiny boats weather storms as powerful as a hurricane? Picture a bottle with a cork in it. As long as the bottle doesn’t break, it will be able to ride out the most heinous of sea states. Our vessels are essentially self-righting bottles, able to bounce and tumble through the biggest of waves. But our USVs are able to do more than just weather rough seas, they can also maintain control and make way in extreme sea states and winds. The full keel provides excellent direction.