Our Methods

Swarm-appropriate vehicles – We follow a philosophy of group support that seeks to keep individual vehicles as simple as possible, while maximizing the benefits of being in a group, such as distributed sensing and more accurate relative positioning.

Distributed architecture – Our proprietary neighbour-sensing and communication technology enables highly redundant systems and situational awareness, able to accommodate the limitations of aquatic environments.

Scalable logistics – We have solutions for handling large numbers. At the front end we are developing solutions for group charging and set-up. At the back end we are developing solutions for group data collating.

Applications – Through collaboration with oceanographers we are pioneering applications where a swarm yields superior and exciting new results over single AUV methods.

Management interface – We seek to maximize swarm agility while protecting the operator from complexity. Our swarms can be guided as a large, fluid mass. For oceanographers, the group delivers a map of real-time distributed data and can be actively guided to target areas of maximum interest. For Aquaculturists, swarm site identification and gradient mapping of water quality in the region of interest is easily observed.

Tyler MacCready, PhD

PRESIDENT

Dr. MacCready is a hobby vehicle designer and earth scientist who founded Ocean Lab to push the technological front of using small marine drones to assist with aquatic jobs like mapping, exploration and distributed intervention. He grew up working on innovative aircraft projects at AeroVironment, Inc., including the Gossamer Condor human powered airplane, the SunRaycer solar car and the QN flying pterodactyl replica. In the 90’s he returned to school to study earth science, receiving a PhD in geology and geophysics at Monash University in Australia. At Ocean Lab he is combining his experience with rugged, simple vehicle design with the emerging subject of swarm science to extend the capabilities of the hands-on field scientist or anyone else needing new ways to access the ocean.

Tom Zambrano

SENIOR SCIENTIST

​Tom's career with AeroVironment spanned its transformation from a small private research firm engaged in nascent industries such as air pollution remediation, wind power development, and ultra-light air vehicles to its present position as a publically traded aerospace manufacturing corporation. Tom holds a variety of patents, from ceiling fans and leaf blowers to aerial and underwater systems. At Ocean Lab, he is responsible for initiating, developing and directing collaborative efforts in line with our strategic vision.

Magnus Delight

ENGINEERING MANAGER

​Magnus joined Ocean Lab to work on underwater communication and localization systems. He has also worked on vehicle prototypes including hardware, embedded software, and radio systems. Magnus now serves as Engineering Manager and oversees the engineering team as they work on vehicle development and swarming research.

Sankaran Ramakrishnan, PhD

SCIENCE MANAGER

​Dr. Ramakrishnan specializes in non-equilibrium thermodynamics and particle dynamics. Through understanding physics-based particle models, he is developing swarm algorithms to control robotic swarms. His work at Ocean Lab applies this area of optimal control of energy systems to understand dynamic group behaviour. Such analysis of collective behaviour in physical and biological systems is leading to distinct steady states and thermodynamic control algorithms to achieve a desired group behaviour for our ocean swarms.

Joy Shapiro

MARINE BIOLOGIST

​With a B.S and an M.S. in Marine Biology and a specialization in zooplankton research, Joy brings a unique background to the team. As Ocean Lab’s marine biologist Joy is responsible for studying aquatic ecosystems and identifying dynamics that can be applied to the functionality of robotic swarms. She has a true passion for knowledge and ocean conservation.

Tony White

MECHANICAL ENGINEER

Tony has worked on commercial autonomous watercraft for hydrographic survey, buoyancy propulsion, commercial cryogenic rubber recycling, HVAC Design, heat-transfer in data centers, and even archaeological research and mapping. This diverse background serves well in rapid-paced prototyping, component-sourcing, and field testing of swarm platforms. He enjoys surfing, biking, hiking, and general adventuring

Drew Heltsley

MECHANICAL ENGINEER

With experience ranging from aircraft and satellite components to renewable energy and large scale water features, Drew brings a passion for mechanical design and engineering to Ocean Lab. His primary responsibilities include the design and production of the robotic vehicles and support equipment that make up Ocean Lab’s swarming systems, with an eye always towards reliability and manufacturability.

Alan Nise

Software Developer

Alan has over 20 years of experience creating high reliability Embedded Systems for Laser and RF communications systems and chemical sensing equipment. He was also founder and CTO of an offshore software development outsourcing company specializing in Mobile and Web application development. At Ocean Lab, Alan is the primary architect of the software systems used for Swarming, Simulation, Vehicle Control and Radio Communications. He also is responsible for the Mobile, PC and Server Applications used to control Ocean Lab's swarms.