The Ontario government is supporting state-of-the-art research and development in Sudbury by investing $350,000 in the construction and testing of an underwater communications network at Laurentian University, Sudbury MPP Rick Bartolucci announced today.
The Northern Ontario Heritage Fund Corporation (NOHFC) will provide the funding to Laurentian University to construct and test an underwater communications network under the direction of Dr.Greg Baiden, Canadian Research Chair in Robotics and Automation at Laurentian University.
“Investing in leading edge research and development will enhance the role of Laurentian University as an incubator for new technology and a catalyst for progress,” says Bartolucci. “Students working on the project will gain valuable experience in the fields of engineering, robotics and physics.”
Dr. Baiden patented underwater point-to-point wireless technology in 2006. He is chair of Penguin Automated Systems Inc., a company that is developing an underwater wireless communications system that would provide the same quality data and images as is currently available through land applications.
"I am really excited about the NOHFC funding. This funding means another huge step forward in advancing our telerobotic techniques and advancing our new patented optical communication system," says Baiden.
“I am very pleased this innovative research initiative is being conducted in Sudbury and excited about the new economic and manufacturing opportunities that could emerge from this undertaking,” says Bartolucci.
The technology that is being developed and tested has a number of potential applications including underwater exploration, mining and recreation.
