Italian startup WSense is pioneering new ways to explore and protect our oceans by developing cutting-edge hardware and software that collect and transmit underwater data. As our world increasingly relies on the Internet of Things (IoT) to gather information on land, WSense is addressing a major gap: the oceans, which cover 72% of our planet and are home to 80% of its biodiversity.

Bridging the Underwater Data Gap

While billions of sensors on land continuously capture and exchange information in real time, marine environments have long remained isolated from this digital network. Recognizing this blind spot, WSense has embarked on a mission to integrate the underwater world into the global data ecosystem. Their work is crucial, not only for advancing our understanding of climate change and environmental conditions but also for monitoring sensitive underwater sites.

A Journey Rooted in Academic Innovation

The company’s roots trace back to the University of Sapienza in Rome, where Professor Chiara Petrioli and her team began researching underwater networks over a decade ago. Their pioneering efforts led to breakthrough solutions that offered unprecedented reliability and performance—achievements that were solidified with several international patents. Launched in 2017 as a spin-off, WSense now boasts a team of around 50 experts with offices in Italy, the U.K., and Norway, serving approximately 20 clients from both the blue economy sector and scientific communities.

Overcoming the Challenges of Underwater Communication

Unlike terrestrial wireless networks, underwater communication faces unique obstacles. Radio waves, which power Wi-Fi on land, lose strength quickly in water, and both light and sound can be affected by factors such as temperature and salinity. WSense’s innovative approach uses a blend of acoustic communication for medium-range data transfer and LED-based optical systems for short-range connections, all dynamically optimized by artificial intelligence. This hybrid system can transmit data over distances up to 1,000 meters at speeds of 1 kbit/s, with much faster rates achievable at shorter distances—adequate for real-time environmental monitoring.

Real-World Applications from Aquaculture to Archeology

WSense’s technology is making waves across various fields. In aquaculture, their network provides a wireless solution for monitoring rearing cages, connecting cameras, sensors, and even autonomous robots without the need for cumbersome cabling. The system also enables advanced underwater robotics, allowing teams of robots to communicate in real time, share data, receive new instructions, and adjust their missions as needed.

The startup’s innovations extend to environmental monitoring, where ultra-miniature wearable sensors for fish help track animal health and water quality—a step forward for sustainable fish farming. Moreover, their platform supports the study of climate change impacts on marine ecosystems and assists in the preservation of underwater heritage sites. For instance, WSense’s technology is used at submerged cultural landmarks, such as the Roman ruins at Baiae near Naples, providing continuous data on pollution, environmental changes, and visitor impact.

Enhancing the Diving Experience

This summer, WSense introduced a game-changing “micronode” device—about the size of a cigarette pack—that connects via cable to a waterproof tablet. This tool dramatically improves communication among divers and between divers and the surface, offering real-time updates and even augmented reality views. Imagine diving among ancient ruins with an overlay that reconstructs historical buildings, or being guided safely through underwater sites with precise GPS tracking.

Setting the Standard for Underwater Networking

Beyond individual products, WSense aims to establish a unified standard for the Internet of Underwater Things (IoUT). Their interoperable network is designed to integrate various devices—from sensors and probes to autonomous vehicles—across a wide range of depths (from shallow waters up to 3,000 meters). With floating or shore-based gateways connecting these underwater networks to the broader IoT, WSense is helping to open up our oceans to global data sharing.

Their efforts have garnered significant recognition, including awards at the European Institute of Innovation and Technology Digital Challenge and the Blueinvest prize from the European Commission. A recent highlight was WSense’s participation in the World Economic Forum’s Ocean Data Challenge in Davos, which provided them a platform to connect with global leaders and showcase how their technology is ready for immediate application.

A Call to Action for Ocean Stewardship

As global markets for submarine communications continue to expand—Forbes estimates the sector to be worth $3.5 billion and growing at 22% annually—the urgency to monitor and protect our oceans has never been greater. According to Petrioli, integrating underwater data into our global networks is not just about technological innovation; it’s a necessary step toward addressing critical challenges like climate change and sustainable resource management.

WSense’s work underscores an important message: the future of our planet depends on our ability to understand every corner of it—including the mysterious depths of the oceans.