European Consortium Demonstrates new Internet-of-Things Platform

A consortium led by exactEarth Europe and comprising OceanWise, UK Satellite Applications Catapult, Pole Star Space Applications and TeamSurv has completed the demonstration of a new global maritime machine-to-machine (M2M) and Internet-of-Things (IOT) platform/service. The project was funded by the European Space Agency (ESA) Integrated Applications Promotion Programme.

The innovative global M2M/IOT data service known as ‘Automatic Identification System (AIS) Sensor Network Service’ (A-SeNS) uses Application Specific Messaging (ASM) and exactEarth's standard vessel tracking satellite constellation to upload sensor data from users’ remote maritime assets in real-time.

In the demonstration, data retrieval from navigational aids installed at a UK port and sensors set up on two work boats were both successfully tested, with trials partners accessing data in real-time for ingestion into their own information platforms.

Mike Osborne, MD of OceanWise, said: “We are already using AIS to broadcast tide and weather data to vessels at sea under IMO Message 8, either from monitoring stations directly or via OceanWise’s Environmental Data Sharing and Publishing platform, Port-Log. A-SeNS has allowed us to extend the use of this technology to incorporate an additional data telemetry channel, thus providing the potential to include stations in more remote geographic areas and in countries where traditional satellite communications have been cost prohibitive.”

“This is an exciting step in bringing to market an effective maritime data collection service that provides data from remote assets to users in real-time,” added Peter Mabson, CEO of exactEarth. Stuart Martin, CEO, Satellite Applications Catapult, said: “This project has demonstrated the enormous potential to use AIS as a truly ubiquitous, low-cost IOT communications channel for maritime users, wherever they are in the world. The efficiency and productivity gains that an effective IOT service can deliver are well established, so this technology promises a major breakthrough.”