# Episode 59: Robots at sea - Ffion Llewellyn

- Show: [Robot Talk](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/robot-talk)
- Published: 2023-10-27
- Length: 18m
- Episode: 59
- Page: https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/robot-talk/2023-10-27-episode-59-robots-at-sea-ffion-llewellyn
- Listen: https://ukrobotics.libsyn.com/episode-fifty-nine-ffion-llewellyn

## Summary

Ffion Llewellyn, an engineer at Oshen, explains how the startup is building autonomous micro-vessels for remote ocean sensing. She details the integration of hydrophones from Aris Aqua and HydroMoth, as well as metocean sensors, to monitor marine mammals and weather data. Llewellyn discusses the engineering challenges of waterproofing and robustness, noting that water ingress often causes components to fail during sea trials. The company is currently in the early stage, having completed sea trials with two prototypes in Cardigan Bay and planning to deploy a fleet of ten.

## Chapters

- [0:08](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/robot-talk/2023-10-27-episode-59-robots-at-sea-ffion-llewellyn#t=8) Introduction: Ffion Llewellyn and Oshen
- [1:54](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/robot-talk/2023-10-27-episode-59-robots-at-sea-ffion-llewellyn#t=114) Oshen's autonomous micro-vessel design and propulsion
- [4:57](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/robot-talk/2023-10-27-episode-59-robots-at-sea-ffion-llewellyn#t=297) Integrating hydrophones and acoustic sensors
- [8:04](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/robot-talk/2023-10-27-episode-59-robots-at-sea-ffion-llewellyn#t=484) Metocean sensors and satellite data transmission
- [10:15](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/robot-talk/2023-10-27-episode-59-robots-at-sea-ffion-llewellyn#t=615) Engineering challenges: waterproofing and robustness
- [13:06](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/robot-talk/2023-10-27-episode-59-robots-at-sea-ffion-llewellyn#t=786) Long-term deployment and maintenance plans
- [14:20](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/robot-talk/2023-10-27-episode-59-robots-at-sea-ffion-llewellyn#t=860) Interactions with marine mammals and dolphins

## Topics

- [Robotics & autonomy](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/robotics-and-autonomy)
- [Sensors & measurement in products](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/sensors)
- [Prototyping & iteration](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/prototyping)
- [Materials & manufacturing processes](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/materials-and-processes)

## Most relevant to

early-stage companies

## Mentioned

- Oshen (company)
- Imperial College London (other)
- Aris Aqua (other)
- HydroMoth (other)
- Innovate UK (other)
- Microtransat (other)

## Related episodes from other shows

- [363: Squishy Nature](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/embedded-fm/2021-02-26-363-squishy-nature) (Embedded.fm)
- [282: Tin Can Through a Wet Noodle](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/embedded-fm/2019-03-21-282-tin-can-through-a-wet-noodle) (Embedded.fm)
- [Autonomous submarines for ocean exploration; drone autonomy with Exyn Technologies](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-robot-report-podcast/2020-12-03-autonomous-submarines-for-ocean-exploration-drone-autonomy-with-exyn-technologie) (The Robot Report Podcast)
- [62. AI Powered Devices For Saving Lives & Studying Oceans](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-next-byte-podcast/2022-03-22-62-ai-powered-devices-for-saving-lives-studying-oceans) (The Next Byte Podcast)
- [370: This Is the Whey](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/embedded-fm/2021-04-22-370-this-is-the-whey) (Embedded.fm)

## Citing this page

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