Autonomous Ocean Navigation

Summary

Arwing is a guidance system I’ve been developing for a planned ocean-fairing drone. Although the system currently has all that it needs to navigate and communicate from anywhere in the world, a launch date for the vessel hasn’t been set. I’ll need a robust hull, extensive testing, and a practical solar power system before Arwing can pilot an ocean exploration mission. Currently, I’m continuing to test and refine the system in preparation for eventual bluewater readiness.

• Propeller and rudder control

• Satellite communication

• GPS tracking

• Power monitoring

• Inertial motion sensing

• Temperature monitoring

• Short-range manual control

• Field testing user interface

• Data recording

Arwing started as a way to satisfy my curiosity. The idea of having a piece of technology out there roaming the ocean felt like the closest I could get to building and deploying my own interplanetary rover, or maybe it’s also a throwback to that boyhood dream of having a cool RC boat. Either way, its complexity and novelty have been enough to captivate my attention for countless iterations.