The grapefruit-sized sensor that ‘flows with the fish’
Canadian seafood tech company Sedna Technologies has partnered up with former AKVA group executive Trond Severinsen to introduce new and innovative water- and fish welfare monitoring technology worldwide.
Severinsen and Sedna have set up Sedna Technologies Norway AS in Stavanger. This will be the hub for commercialising the product throughout Europe, Asia and Africa.
The wireless Sensor Globe is a multi-functional sensor concept the size of a small grapefruit. Customers can build their own units with various high-end micro-sensors and monitor real time data through an app on their smartphone, tablet or via the internet. They can also leave the Sensor Globe offline anywhere to log data for months at a time, then retrieve it and upload data for analysis through the Sedna Cloud.
Acceleration and shock
“We are now launching the first version which is available with micro-sensors such as optical oxygen, temperature, pH, acceleration and shock,” Sedna co-founders Sheamus MacDonald and Aleksandr Stabenow said in a press release.
“Later this year nitrate, ammonia and salinity micro-sensors will follow, and we will keep adding many new sensors and features going forward to stay leading edge.”
Severinsen, who developed new markets and products during his 25 years with AKVA group, said: “I am very excited to work with such young and talented entrepreneurs in Canada, to offer my lifelong experience in the aquaculture technology industry and together grow the company, work on R&D, and set up a global sales and service network.
New uses
“We discover new uses and markets for the Sensor Globe concept just about every week right now, including the growing need for environmental impact monitoring by various companies involved in mining, forestry, energy, construction, engineering and consulting, as well as in many government agencies. The product is in reality a ‘disruptive technology’ and with a price point that opens up a huge global market.”
The Sensor Globe was originally designed to monitor water quality and animal welfare for the live lobster fishing industry in Atlantic Canada.
It has adjustable internal ballast so that it can either float like a small iceberg, sink or have neutral buoyancy. It measures just 95mm diameter, weighs 325 grams and is designed to “flow-with-the-fish” through pipes, hoses, fish pumps, lice treatment and other machinery, measuring both water quality and physical impact on the fish (acceleration and shock), which both are crucial for fish welfare. It can also simply float around in a normal fish tank.
