New AIS-Based IoT Platform Demonstrated in the U.K.

A European consortium has demonstrated a new global maritime machine-to-machine Internet-of-Things (IoT) platform.

The new global data service, Automatic Identification System (AIS) Sensor Network Service (A-SeNS), uses Application Specific Messaging’ (ASM) and exactEarth’s satellite AIS constellation to upload sensor data from users’ remote maritime assets in real-time. In the demonstration, data retrieval from both navigational aid equipment installed at a U.K. port and environmental sensors installed on two working boats were both successfully tested, with trial partners accessing the collected information in real-time using cloud services, for subsequent integration into their own information platforms.

exactEarth Europe worked in the United Kingdom with the Satellite Applications Catapult, Pole Star Space Applications, TeamSurv and OceanWise and received part funding from the European Space Agency’s Business Applications.

“The A?SeNS proof?of?concept has successfully demonstrated the combined utility of M2M, IoT, and satellite?AIS technologies as an alternative low?cost maritime communications channel capable of supporting the emergence of e?Navigation and Maritime Cloud,” said Julian Longson, Managing Director of Pole Star Space Applications.

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 within Port-Log, thus providing the potential to include stations in more remote geographic areas and in countries where traditional satellite communications have been cost prohibitive.”