Plastimo and Sigfox join forces to connect the oceans
Patrick Cason of Sigfox
Plastimo, an international player in the boating industry, and Sigfox, the IoT service provider and global 0G network operator, have joined forces to offer total geolocation coverage across all oceans from 2020. The new service will be supported by data from the ELO nano-satellite constellation, operated by Eutelsat, Sigfox’s partner.
With more than 50 years of industrial expertise in the manufacture and design of safety equipment for boating consumers and professionals, Plastimo is constantly searching for high-performance and innovative solutions. Plastimo turned to Sigfox’s 0G network to improve and broaden the application of digital technologies integrated into its safety equipment, with a specific requirement to quickly and reliably locate seafarers in the ocean.
“Our challenge is to improve safety at sea, by using the potential of connected solutions, and make our products accessible to as many sailors as possible,” explains Frédéric Blaudeau, marketing director at Plastimo. “By combining the expertise of our two companies, we can offer the boating industry an integrated, complete and innovative solution.”
“Today, Sigfox is able to meet the demand for both innovative and affordable connectivity solutions. Based on Sigfox technology, Plastimo is able to differentiate its products for general consumers, while also developing high-end equipment for increasingly demanding professional markets. For Plastimo, it is important to invest in technology and bring to market exclusive products, which meet the needs of all sailors when it comes to safety at sea,” explains Patrick Cason, managing director of Sigfox France.
By partnering with Sigfox, Plastimo will also benefit from the future ELO nanosatellite constellation, deployed and operated by Eutelsat. From 2020, the constellation will support Sigfox’s connectivity services, providing global coverage across all seas and oceans. Existing constellations do not offer this geolocation functionality at an affordable price for the boating market, while ELO will soon support the location of a person lost at sea or shipwrecked in a Plastimo life raft or wearing a Plastimo life jacket, at a reasonable price.
One of the major advantages of the ELO constellation is that it uses the Sigfox protocol already available in more than 65 countries. The life jackets produced by Plastimo will be supported by either Sigfox’s terrestrial network or its satellite network. Thus, life jackets can be located several tens of kilometres from the coasts of the many countries already covered by the Sigfox terrestrial network, before the ELO constellation is available. The first two nanosatellites will be operational in 2020.
Future Plastimo life jackets equipped with Sigfox satellite connectivity will be locatable across all oceans. The vests will be as just as comfortable and efficient as other Plastimo designs, and the new connectivity will be simple to use and does not require heavy and bulky batteries to maintain power.
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