Overview
This workshop will discuss opportunities and challenges in the development of affordable ocean-observing technologies. Recent advances in microcontrollers, low-cost sensors, and related technologies have made it possible to create scalable environmental monitoring systems at significantly lower cost. However, adapting these tools for reliable use in marine environments presents a range of technical challenges.
The workshop brings together scientists, engineers, and technologists who build, use, or need low-cost instruments, including open-source hardware developers, users of inexpensive commercial loggers, industry engineers, and researchers from countries where affordable observing tools are most urgently needed. The emphasis is on presentations, discussion, and demonstrations of working systems, with the goal of exchanging ideas, starting new collaborations, and identifying paths toward robust, affordable instruments.
Who should attend
- Developers of open-source or DIY ocean and met-ocean instruments
- Scientists who use, or want to use, inexpensive instruments in the field, from Arduino-based sensors to low-cost commercial loggers
- Engineers interested in waterproof enclosures, marine hardening, and performance/cost tradeoffs
- Instrument makers and industry engineers who want to hear directly about user needs
Dates & Venue
Venue: Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution, Woods Hole, MA, USA. Demonstrations and facility tours will be hosted at WHOI's DeepTech facility. Directions, parking, and maps are on the Getting Here page.
Main Workshop
October 19–22, 2026
Monday–Thursday. Presentations and discussions.
Optional Hands-On Development Session
October 23 & 26–27, 2026
Friday, then Monday–Tuesday, at WHOI's DeepTech facility. Small teams build and test open-source instruments, centered on a multi-day OpenCTD build led by OpenCTD creator Andrew Thaler. Equipment and materials are provided.
Registration
Please register in advance so we can plan meals, space, and demonstrations. (There is an option for remote participation.)
Non-U.S. participants: WHOI requires some additional visitor information. After registering, please also complete the foreign visitor information form.
Agenda
The agenda is a working draft and will change. Speakers, talk titles, and logistics details will be updated as they are confirmed.
Workshop Themes
- Emerging opportunities in low-cost sensing
- Physical oceanography and marine meteorology sensors
- Environmental sensors
- Mechanical design and marine hardening
- Manufacturing, calibration, and quality assurance
- Demonstrations
- Breakout discussions
- Future collaborations
Funders
This workshop is made possible with generous support from Schmidt Sciences and the U.S. Office of Naval Research (ONR).
Contact
J. Thomas Farrar
Senior Scientist, Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution
jfarrar@whoi.edu
+1 508-289-2691