Drifter

The prototype is built around a low-power sensing architecture designed to operate under real environmental constraints. Each buoy integrates positioning sensors, atmospheric and marine measurements, and short-range communication modules capable of exchanging signals with nearby nodes. A microcontroller manages local processing and energy usage, while solar-assisted batteries provide the minimal power required to sustain intermittent transmission cycles. Instead of maintaining continuous connectivity, the system prioritises periodic communication bursts, reducing energy consumption and bandwidth dependency.

Data processing occurs primarily at the edge of the system. Environmental measurements and positional signals are filtered locally before transmission, ensuring that only essential information circulates through the network. This approach reduces data accumulation and avoids reliance on permanent cloud infrastructures. Communication between nodes can occur through low-power radio links or satellite uplinks depending on environmental conditions and signal availability. The result is a flexible communication topology in which each device can operate independently while still contributing to a larger distributed network.

Within this framework, Drifter explores how maritime sensing infrastructures might be redesigned using modular hardware, open communication protocols, and decentralised processing models. Rather than replicating large-scale monitoring systems, the project investigates whether smaller autonomous devices can provide meaningful environmental observations while maintaining low operational cost and reduced technological footprint. The buoy therefore functions both as a working prototype and as a model for lightweight sensing architectures capable of inhabiting dynamic maritime environments.