Environmental & Resource Science Grad Adapts Drone Technology in Global Race to Uncover Ocean's Deepest Realms
EnviroDrone Ltd. CEO and founder Ryan Cant '09 uses new approach to explore another great blue frontier
Ryan Cant ‘09 knows the sky is not the limit for a drone and that it may hold the key to unlocking the vast, mysterious world under our oceans. As a part of the only Canadian team in the Shell Ocean Discovery XPrize competition, the Environmental & Resource Science graduate is on track to prove it.
Mr. Cant’s team, EnviroDrone, is now a semi-finalist in the $7 million global competition. The autonomous underwater vehicle (AUV) created by EnviroDrone will map a large area in punishing depths between 2000 to 4000 metres. However, they will launch their AUV from the air instead of the sea.
“We’re developing sophisticated technologies, new methods and data collection techniques to explore and truly understand deep-sea environments,” stated Mr. Cant. “There’s a tremendous amount humankind can learn from this.”
During his time at Trent, Mr. Cant studied atmospheric, aquatic, and terrestrial ecosystems throughout Canada as a research assistant with Dr. Shaun Watmough, professor and director of the School of the Environment at Trent University. Armed with an entrepreneurial and technically creative spirit, Mr. Cant said that the one-on-one support he received from his professors catalyzed his success.
“At Trent you are learning from passionate leaders in the field. This energy is electric, which fuelled my love for the environment. My experience working with Dr. Watmough had a large impact on my professional career.”
His team will now prepare for the next round of the competition, which will reduce the field to 10 finalists who will receive research and development funding. Testing will take place this fall and the triumphant teams are to be announced this December.