Oshen’s C-Stars: Pioneering Ocean Robots Brave Category 5 Hurricanes
Anahita Laverack’s journey from aspiring aerospace engineer to ocean robotics innovator began with a pivotal experience in 2021. Participating in the Microtransat Challenge—a competition aimed at autonomously sailing micro-robots across the Atlantic—she faced the same outcome as all previous entrants: failure. This challenge illuminated two critical issues: the inherent difficulty in designing micro-robots capable of enduring the ocean’s harsh conditions and the glaring lack of comprehensive oceanic data necessary for such missions.
Determined to address these challenges, Laverack attended conferences like Oceanology International, seeking solutions. She discovered a widespread demand for oceanic data, with many expressing willingness to pay for its collection. Recognizing a significant opportunity, she co-founded Oshen in April 2022 with electrical engineer Ciaran Dowds. Their mission: to develop autonomous micro-robots capable of gathering vital ocean data.
Starting with limited resources, Laverack and Dowds invested their savings into a 25-foot sailboat, which they docked at an affordable marina in the UK. This vessel became their primary testing platform. They dedicated two years to refining their robots, conducting rigorous tests in various sea conditions. Laverack recounted the challenges of winter testing, emphasizing the risks involved in deploying their small sailboat during severe storms.
The culmination of their efforts was the creation of the C-Star fleet—autonomous micro-robots designed to operate continuously in the ocean for up to 100 days. These robots are deployed in swarms, enhancing data collection efficiency and resilience.
Oshen’s innovative approach attracted attention from various sectors, including defense and government agencies. The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) first approached Oshen two years prior, but the technology was not yet deployment-ready. However, after successful tests in UK winter storms, NOAA re-engaged Oshen just two months before the 2025 hurricane season. In response, Oshen rapidly produced and delivered 15 C-Stars.
Five of these robots were strategically positioned near the U.S. Virgin Islands, anticipating Hurricane Humberto’s trajectory. While the initial expectation was for the C-Stars to gather pre-storm data, three of them remarkably withstood the entire Category 5 hurricane. Despite sustaining minor damages, they continued to collect data throughout the storm, marking a historic achievement as the first ocean robots to do so.
Following this success, Oshen relocated to Plymouth, England—a hub for marine technology companies. The company has since secured contracts with clients, including the UK government, for applications in both meteorological and defense operations. To meet the growing demand, Oshen plans to seek venture capital funding in the near future.
