US nonprofit oceanographic research institution founded 1930; operates REMUS, Sentry, and Mesobot AUVs plus ROV Jason for deep-sea science.
Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution (WHOI) is a private nonprofit research and higher education organization founded in 1930 in Woods Hole, Massachusetts. It is the largest independent oceanographic research institution in the United States, with approximately 950 staff including more than 500 scientists, engineers, ship crew, and technicians.
WHOI is a pioneer in marine robotics, operating a fleet of robotic and human-occupied underwater vehicles. The Sentry AUV is designed to descend to depths of 6,000 meters and carries instruments for sampling, imaging, and environmental data collection from the deep sea. The REMUS (Remote Environmental Monitoring Units) family of AUVs was developed at WHOI and has been commercialized through Hydroid (later acquired by Kongsberg). Mesobot is a hybrid underwater vehicle designed to study the ocean's midwater (mesopelagic) zone. Jason and Medea form a two-body ROV system capable of reaching 6,500 meters, while the human-occupied vehicle (HOV) Alvin is one of the world's most well-known deep-sea submersibles, recently upgraded to reach 6,500 meters.
WHOI established the Center for Marine Robotics to accelerate development of robotic ocean technologies through collaboration with industry sponsors, academic partners, and government agencies including NOAA, NSF, and the US Navy. The Autonomous Robotics and Perception Laboratory (WARP Lab) at WHOI focuses on perception, planning, and autonomy for underwater vehicles.
WHOI researchers and engineers have founded several spinout companies in marine robotics, including Bluefin Robotics (1997) and SeaBED Technologies (2010). The institution's ocean robotics work spans scientific research, military applications, and environmental monitoring, making it one of the most influential organizations in the development of autonomous marine systems.
Primary type & automation activities this supplier delivers:
Deep-sea autonomous underwater vehicle capable of 6,000m depth for ocean floor mapping and sampling.
Two-body ROV system for deep-sea exploration and sampling to 6,500m depth.
Contact Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution
WEBSITE
https://www.whoi.eduPHONE
+1 508-289-2252HEADQUARTERS
United States
Company Facts
Founded
1930
Primary Role
Research Institute
Company Size
employees 500-1000
Primary Region
North America
Annual Sales
-
Funding Stage
-
Funding Total
-
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ROVplanet.com Jul 23, 2025 hii remus 620 auv torpedo tube deploymentThe Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution (WHOI) has signed two exclusive license agreements with ARMADA Marine Robotics, a spin-off company co-founded by WHOI engineers Robin Littlefield and Jeff Kaeli. This development, announced recently, represents a significant step in WHOI's commitment to promoting innovation and entrepreneurship in the field of ocean technology. The agreements aim to facilitate the commercialization of groundbreaking technologies that could enhance marine exploration and research. By collaborating with ARMADA Marine Robotics, WHOI seeks to leverage its expertise and resources to drive advancements in oceanographic tools and solutions.
ROVplanet.com Jan 10, 2025 woods hole oceanographic institution (whoi) armada marine robotics