LAkHsMI · Project

Smart Ocean Floor Cables That See Underwater Like Fish Do

environmentTestedTRL 5

Imagine laying a cable on the ocean floor that can "feel" everything moving in the water above it — like how a fish senses currents through its skin. That's exactly what LAkHsMI built: sensor cables inspired by fish biology that measure pressure and temperature changes to create a live picture of what's happening underwater. They're cheap, use very little power, and can stretch from a few meters to potentially hundreds of kilometers. The data feeds into existing ocean monitoring networks, helping track everything from waves and currents to fish schools and boat traffic in harbors.

By the numbers

consortium partners

countries involved (EE, NL, UK)

SME industrial partners

50%

industry participation ratio

demonstration deliverables produced

hundreds of kilometers

potential sensor cable scale

The business problem

What needed solving

Ocean monitoring today relies on expensive, scattered point sensors that leave massive blind spots across the sea floor. Port authorities, energy companies, and environmental agencies pay high costs for fragmented data that still misses critical events. There is no affordable way to continuously image what's happening across large underwater areas in real time.

The solution

What was built

The team built bio-inspired smart sensor cables that measure differential pressure and temperature on the ocean floor, producing 7 demonstration deliverables including multi-parameter lab demonstrators, multiplexed fibre optical sensor arrays, and integration software for EUROGOOS and EMEC observatory platforms. An API was developed for real-time data interfacing with existing ocean observation systems.

Audience

Who needs this

Offshore wind and tidal energy farm operators needing continuous site monitoringPort authorities requiring subsurface vessel and intrusion detectionMarine environmental consultancies running ocean observation networksFisheries management agencies tracking fish school movementsCoastal security organizations monitoring harbor traffic

Business applications

Who can put this to work

Marine Renewable Energy

enterprise

Target: Offshore wind or tidal energy operators

If you are an offshore energy company dealing with blind spots around your turbines and tidal devices — this project developed bio-inspired sensor cables that measure pressure and temperature on the ocean floor, giving you continuous hydrodynamic imaging of the surrounding water volume. The cables integrate directly with systems like EMEC's online observation platform, so you get real-time data without deploying expensive standalone instruments. With scalability from meters to hundreds of kilometers, one installation can monitor an entire energy farm.

Port and Maritime Security

any

Target: Port authorities and harbor management companies

If you are a port authority struggling to detect subsurface vessel traffic and underwater intrusions — this project built low-power sensor cables that image water movement in real time. The technology can track surface and subsurface traffic in harbors without active sonar or cameras, working continuously in all visibility conditions. The cables are simple, inexpensive, and connect to existing cabled observatory infrastructure.

Ocean Monitoring and Environmental Services

mid-size

Target: Environmental consulting firms and marine observatory operators

If you are an ocean monitoring service paying high costs for scattered point sensors — this project developed multiplexed fibre optical sensor arrays that cover large areas from a single cable installation. The EUROGOOS integration software lets you plug directly into European ocean observation networks. With 7 demonstrated prototypes covering lab-to-field validation, this is a proven path to cheaper, higher-resolution ocean floor monitoring.

Frequently asked

Quick answers

How much would these sensor cables cost compared to current ocean monitoring equipment?

The project objective explicitly states the technology is designed to be 'simple, inexpensive and has very low power consumption.' However, no specific price points are available in the project data. Based on available project data, the fibre optical design and scalability from meters to hundreds of kilometers suggest significant cost advantages over traditional point-sensor arrays.

Can this scale to cover large ocean areas or entire port facilities?

Yes. The objective states the technology is 'scalable from meters to possibly hundreds of kilometers.' The consortium demonstrated both small-scale lab prototypes and integrated canal-based fibre optical arrays, showing the path from bench to real-world scale.

Who owns the intellectual property and can I license this technology?

The project was coordinated by Tallinn University of Technology (Estonia) under an RIA funding scheme, meaning IP is typically retained by the consortium partners. The consortium includes 3 SME industrial partners who likely hold commercialization rights. Contact the coordinator for licensing terms.

Has this been tested in real ocean conditions or only in the lab?

The project planned tests in a tank, a pool, and in an ocean observatory. Deliverables confirm multiple laboratory demonstrators were built, including a multi-parameter lab demonstrator and integrated canal-based fibre optical array. An API was also developed for interfacing with EMEC's online observation system, indicating preparation for real-site integration.

Can this integrate with our existing ocean monitoring systems?

Yes. The project specifically developed EUROGOOS integration software and an API for interfacing with EMEC's online observation system. These are two major European ocean observation platforms, meaning the technology is designed to plug into established infrastructure rather than replace it.

What regulatory standards does this meet for marine environmental monitoring?

Based on available project data, no specific regulatory certifications are mentioned. However, the integration with EUROGOOS and EMEC systems suggests alignment with European ocean observation standards. Regulatory compliance details should be confirmed directly with the consortium.

Is there ongoing technical support or further development planned?

The project closed in September 2019 with 6 consortium partners across 3 countries. The 3 industrial SME partners may offer commercial development paths. Based on available project data, post-project continuation status should be verified with the coordinator at Tallinn University of Technology.

Consortium

Who built it

The LAkHsMI consortium brings together 6 partners from 3 countries (Estonia, Netherlands, UK) with a balanced 50/50 split between industry and academia. The 3 SME partners signal genuine commercial intent — these are not just research observers but companies with skin in the game. Coordination by Tallinn University of Technology (Estonia) places the project in a cost-competitive EU member state. The mix of fibre optic expertise, ocean engineering, and software integration across the consortium covers the full value chain from sensor manufacturing to data delivery. For a business buyer, the presence of 3 industrial partners means there are likely commercial entities ready to discuss technology transfer or joint ventures.

TALLINNA TEHNIKAÜLIKOOLCoordinator · EE
AQUATERA LIMITEDparticipant · UK
HERIOT-WATT UNIVERSITYparticipant · UK
RIJKSUNIVERSITEIT GRONINGENparticipant · NL
HYDRO BOND ENGINEERING LIMITEDparticipant · UK

How to reach the team

Tallinn University of Technology (Estonia) — reach out to the marine technology or physics department for the LAkHsMI project lead.

Order a report on this consortium See TALLINNA TEHNIKAÜLIKOOL profile →

Next steps

Talk to the team behind this work.

Want an introduction to the LAkHsMI team? SciTransfer can connect you with the right researcher and provide a tailored brief on how this sensor technology fits your specific monitoring challenge.

Order a report on this topic More in Environment & Climate