Watbots, one of the most exciting aquaculture tech start-up’s to watch this year, have appointed Water Linked as their supplier of underwater communication technology. This newly developed iteration of the M64 modem, called the M16, will enable the Watbot, the most advanced fish cage cleaning robot on the market, to communicate natively with the base station without signal interference.
Watbots is working to redefine the aquaculture net cleaning process with the development of a unique, autonomous robot.
A critical requirement for this innovative concept is that there is a reliable acoustic connection between all the robots working in the farm and their base station.
While Water Linked already had a highly reliable acoustic solution, known as the M64 modem, this unit had a number of limitations with regard to Watbots’ needs. Watbots required the modem to be smaller, operate on lower power, offer increased range, have no export restrictions, and provide the highest level of dependability in a data connection.
With up to 12 robots working in a fish farm at any given time, ensuring that there is no interference created by multiple robots communicating at the same time is of high importance.
The M64 modem has a proven track record operating in the most challenging of environments and was the basis in the development of the recently released Water Linked CageSenseTM solution.
Watbots carried out trials of the Modem M64, which combined with reviewing the CageSenseTM performance data provided them with the assurance that Water Linked could meet their needs and develop a new modem that would work to meet their specific requirements.
The first delivery of the new M16 modem will take place early in 2023.
Håvard Lillebo, Chief Executive Officer of Watbots, commented: “A robust communication is critical to our solution and working closely with a proven technology innovator such as Water Linked provides the reassurance required for this key part of our unique solution. We feel this partnership will benefit both companies and reaffirm Norway as a leader in bringing exciting new technology to the underwater industry.”
The M16 will benefit from the latest advances that have been integrated into CageSenseTM and will provide the subsea industry with an unrivalled acoustic modem for use in the most challenging of environments.
The improved benefits of the Modem M16:
- Smaller physical size
- Lower power consumption
- Increased range
- Improved multi-modem operation
- No Export restrictions
Watbots have secured an order in excess of 600 robots and will take delivery of the first M16 modems in Q1 2023.
Scott McLay, Chief Commercial Officer of Water Linked, stated: “We are all very excited to work with Watbots, a company that aims to set the next industry standard for daily net cleaning and inspection. This requirement has given Water Linked the opportunity to further develop our acoustic modem platform and set a new standard in robust underwater communication.”
Public release
While the M16 Modem has been developed with the intention that it will be fully integrated into Watbots’ proprietary platform with a bulkhead seal interface, Water Linked will be offering a variation that can be used where a customer would prefer a watertight cable interface.
About Water Linked AS
Founded in 2013, Water Linked has embarked upon a mission to disrupt the market for underwater acoustics. Proprietary Wireless SenseTM technology is at the core of the companies’ products, enabling users to tackle some of the biggest challenges found while working underwater.
About Watbots AS
Established in 2019, Watbots develops technologies that ensure fish welfare, as well as financial and environmental considerations for the future requirements of the fish farming industry. Watbots is designed for the salmon industry to implement the technology in existing production to ensure a more predictable and sustainable food production.
