One of our Accelerated Ocean Solutions Program Projects Announced Today
Today Canada’s Ocean Supercluster announced four new projects with a total value of $4.5 million from its Accelerated Ocean Solutions Program (AOSP) stream. Included in these new projects is the Miniaturized Sonar Transducers Project, led by Ontario and Nova Scotia based Sensor Technology Ltd. This made in Canada solution will create new domestic and export opportunities, supply chain opportunities, and create 15 new jobs. The data derived from this project will support additional ocean technology opportunities for Canada.
The growth in market demand for unmanned underwater and surface ocean platforms to replace crewed vessels in remote and harsh environments has created a challenge for platform developers to source qualified acoustic sonar technologies customized to their specific mission requirements. With only two global competitors offering miniaturized piezocomposite transducers, and only one fully integrated provider, platform developers are limited in their ability to source suppliers to meet current demand. Piezocomposite transducers offer several advantages over other products, but ultimately provide higher quality and more reliable underwater images.
With a total project value of $906,700, the Ocean Supercluster will provide $566,000 in funding for the project, with the balance coming from industry partners. The Miniaturized Sonar Transducers Project is led by Sensor Technologies with partners NorthEastern Micro, Kraken Robotic Systems Inc, and Dr. Christopher Purcell. This project will develop specialized skillsets and provide the opportunity for experience in new techniques and help in the development of future workforce.
Canada’s Ocean Supercluster is an industry-led transformative cluster focused on tackling the shared challenges across ocean sectors through a collaborative program designed to accelerate the development and commercialization of globally-relevant solutions, while also building a highly-capable, inclusive workforce. To encourage innovation and trigger new industry investment during these challenging times, the Ocean Supercluster supplemented its core programs with an additional project stream called Accelerated Ocean Solutions Program (AOSP). This enables the development of smaller projects on a shorter timeline that deliver tangible outcomes, while continuing to build resiliency in our ocean sectors.
Quotes
“The Ocean Supercluster is driving innovation in the ocean economy by investing in areas where Canada has a competitive edge. The four projects announced today demonstrate the depth of expertise that the Supercluster is fostering within the ocean economy, ranging from smart, green electricity grids to artificial intelligence-informed seafood traceability.” The Honourable Navdeep Bains, Minister of Innovation, Science and Industry
“The projects we are funding under the Ocean Supercluster will play a vital role in Canada’s emerging blue economy. Improving underwater imaging and offshore infrastructure inspections will allow us to grow our marine industries more safely and sustainably. Our government will continue to invest in ocean science and technology, so we can get more Canadians working on and in our oceans.”The Honourable Bernadette Jordan, Minister of Fisheries, Oceans and the Canadian Coast Guard
“With a growing demand for acoustic radar technologies in ocean, we are excited to announce the Miniaturized Sonar Transducers Project with an investment of more than $500,000, creating new domestic and export opportunities, supply chain opportunities, and 15 new jobs.” Kendra MacDonald, CEO, Canada’s Ocean Supercluster
“It’s an exciting time to be a part of the Blue Economy, and we are thrilled to be contributing to Canada’s Ocean Nation through this project. With this support from the Ocean Supercluster, we will be able to get to market faster as the only fully made-in-Canada solution of customized acoustic sensors for unmanned vessels.” Niru Somayajula, President & CEO, Sensor Technology Ltd
