DARPA awards Glas Ocean Electric contract to develop data collection at sea

Oct 17, 2023

The United States Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA) has awarded Glas Ocean Electric a contract to develop and demonstrate a low-cost data acquisition system that can be easily installed on a range of vessels including fishing vessels, workboats, ferries and pleasure craft.

Glas Ocean Electric’s PerforMarine™ is a platform that collects vessel and environmental data and then, using artificial intelligence, helps operators optimize vessel performance, reduce fuel costs, and cut emissions.

PerforMarine collects data from commonly installed vessel sensors such as depth sounders or anemometers. Additional sensors can be added and with artificial intelligence they can fully describe the vessel movement. Real time and predicted data such as vessel position, sea conditions and weather are integrated with the software and enhance the capability of PerforMarine.

“The combination of data that will be collected through PerforMarine has never been done in the marine environment,” said Glas Ocean Electric President and CEO Dr. Sue Molloy. “When the data is combined with artificial intelligence software, it can optimize vessel routes, create new efficiencies, and enhance sustainability.”

The DARPA Small Business Innovation Research Program awards funds to small businesses that research and develop operationally ready technology that reaches beyond current military capabilities.

Based in Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada, Glas Ocean Electric is focused on pragmatic, expert solutions that protect the health of our oceans. GOE installs battery electric drive systems that are used in a parallel hybrid format to substantially reduce diesel fuel consumption in workboats such as fishing and tourism vessels. PerforMarine optimises the operations of both electric and diesel boats.

Learn more about Glas Ocean Electric at www.GlasOceanElectric.com.

About Glas Ocean
Glas Ocean Electric (GOE) is a marine hardware and software innovator that develops pragmatic and sustainable solutions to improve the health of the oceans, our waterways, and the atmosphere. We are determined to create a sustainable future. Our designs reduce fuel and maintenance costs and lessen dependency on fuel price fluctuations. Our proprietary electric propulsion system also reduces noise and other toxic emissions into the marine environment.