Underwater Acoustic Modems
Discover cutting-edge solutions from leading global suppliersSeaSignal, a new underwater acoustic recorder combining high-bandwidth recording with real-time signal decoding and embedded AI analysis, was among the launches at Oceanology International 2026 in London.
Ocean Science Technology spoke with Evan Cornell, Popoto Modem’s Director of Hardware, to cover this exclusive on-stand launch.
SeaSignal is being demonstrated live at Stand P400 throughout Oceanology International, where visitors can see the device decode and annotate an acoustic transmission in real time.
Supporting acoustic bandwidths from 10 Hz up to 400 kHz, the system includes up to 4 TB of onboard storage and an internal battery capable of operating for up to 24 hours.
During a live demonstration at the show, the device recorded an acoustic transmission from a nearby modem and decoded the message in real time, automatically annotating the signal with the transmitted data. The system currently supports Popoto modem communications along with JANUS and FORCES acoustic modem standards.
AI-Driven Acoustic Detection
Beyond communications decoding, the system supports AI-driven acoustic detection. Operators can train datasets for specific sounds and configure the device to automatically identify and log relevant events.
Cornell gave two examples: monitoring for specific whale species by automatically logging the time and occurrence of detected calls, and identifying fast-moving vessels in harbor security applications.
The system also incorporates an onboard MCP server, allowing users to query recordings once the device is recovered — retrieving specific acoustic events such as vessel sounds or marine species detections.
SeaSignal also addresses common usability problems with long-duration acoustic deployments. A web-based interface simplifies device configuration, and Gigabit Ethernet allows for fast data offloading after deployments where large volumes of recordings must be retrieved.
“I think AI is a big buzzword right now. The people who learn to use that well are going to be the people who succeed.”
– Evan Cornell, Popoto Modem’s Director of Hardware.
Cornell noted that combining high-quality recording with real-time decoding and AI analysis has the potential to significantly streamline how underwater acoustic data is collected and interpreted. Looking ahead, Cornell pointed to AI as one of the most significant shifts shaping the sector.
These capabilities were discussed during an on-site interview with Summer James from Ocean Science Technology at Oceanology International 2026.
