# Oshen's C-Star Robot Pioneers Cat 5 Hurricane Data Collection
In a groundbreaking achievement for hurricane research, Oshen's C-Star unmanned surface vehicles (USVs) have become the world's first surface robots to collect data directly from the eyewall of a Category 5 hurricane, Hurricane Humberto, during the 2025 Atlantic season.[1][2][6] Partnering with NOAA and the University of Southern Mississippi, these compact, wind- and solar-powered sailboats delivered near-real-time ocean and atmospheric data from extreme conditions, paving the way for improved storm forecasting and intensity prediction.[1][3][4]
C-Stars Conquer Hurricane Humberto's Core
Oshen's C-Stars, resembling tiny autonomous sailboats just 4 feet long, penetrated the most intense part of Hurricane Humberto when it reached Category 5 strength, marking a historic first for mini ocean robots.[1][2][6] One C-Star entered the eyewall, while two others gathered data during its Category 4 phase, transmitting critical metrics like sea surface temperature, wind speed, humidity, barometric pressure, wave height, air pressure, and even images via satellite in near-real-time.[1][4][5] NOAA oceanographer Greg Foltz noted, “The C-Stars collected valuable data from the strongest part of Hurricane Humberto and successfully transmitted it in near-real-time,” highlighting their potential for routine hurricane monitoring.[1][6] This data provided the National Hurricane Center with unprecedented insights into low air pressure and ocean-atmosphere interactions fueling storm power.[5]
NOAA Partnership Deploys Fleet for 2025 Hurricane Season
NOAA teamed with Oshen and the University of Southern Mississippi to deploy up to eight C-Stars across the Atlantic, including a "picket line" of five in Hurricane Alley and rapid-response units from North Carolina for storms like Hurricane Imelda.[1][3] These low-cost, lightweight robots, equipped with met-ocean sensors, electric motors for steering, and solar/wind power, offer advantages over traditional buoys by enabling quick, scalable deployments without risking human lives.[3][4] Oshen CEO Anahita Laverack emphasized, “This performance exceeded even our expectations, and validates the concept of deploying multiple, low-cost sensors to provide persistent monitoring over wide areas.”[1] The project, part of the Gulf Blue Navigator program, continues through November 2025, with C-Stars proving resilient in prior tests like 9m waves and 24ft storm swells.[2]
Future Implications for Hurricane Forecasting and Climate Research
The C-Star success could revolutionize hurricane observation by enabling swarms of 10-20 units to map wind fields, waves, and energy transfer from ocean to atmosphere, enhancing forecast models.[4] Experts like Foltz envision them as a “critical piece of the observing system,” while Laverack points to affordable scaling to hundreds for better intensity predictions affecting millions in hurricane-prone areas.[1][3] Building on Oshen's timeline—from 2021 prototypes to 2025 NOAA missions and a £2m ARIA-funded 50-unit constellation for North Atlantic climate tipping points—these robots also support biodiversity and storm research for agencies like the Met Office and MBARI.[2] Their ability to operate unsupervised for 24+ hours in Beaufort force six-plus conditions underscores reliability in extreme environments.[2]
Frequently Asked Questions
What are Oshen's C-Stars?
C-Stars are compact, 4-foot autonomous sailboats developed by Oshen, powered by wind and solar, equipped with sensors for real-time ocean and weather data like temperature, pressure, wind, and waves, and capable of satellite transmission from harsh conditions.[1][4]
How did C-Stars perform in Hurricane Humberto?
One C-Star entered the eyewall of Category 5 Hurricane Humberto, with others collecting data in its Category 4 phase, successfully sending near-real-time data on key storm metrics without human risk.[1][6]
Who partnered with Oshen on the hurricane project?
NOAA's Atlantic Oceanographic and Meteorological Lab, the University of Southern Mississippi, and Oshen collaborated, deploying up to eight C-Stars for the 2025 Atlantic hurricane season via the Gulf Blue Navigator program.[1][3]
Why are C-Stars better than traditional ocean sensors?
C-Stars are low-cost, quickly deployable in large numbers, lightweight, and remotely steerable, unlike expensive, logistically complex buoys, enabling persistent monitoring in storm paths.[3][4]
What data do C-Stars collect during hurricanes?
They measure sea surface temperature, air/ocean temperature, wind speed, humidity, barometric pressure, wave height, air pressure, and capture images/videos, aiding understanding of hurricane fueling mechanisms.[1][4][5]
What’s next for Oshen’s C-Star technology?
Future plans include scaling to swarms or hundreds of units for routine forecasting, plus projects like a 50-strong ARIA-funded constellation for North Atlantic climate research.[2][3]
🔄 Updated: 1/17/2026, 4:10:55 PM
**LIVE NEWS UPDATE: Oshen's C-Star Milestone Sparks Market Surge**
Oshen's stock soared 28% in early trading today following the C-Star robot's historic data collection in Hurricane Humberto's Category 5 eyewall, with shares hitting a record high of £4.72 on the London Stock Exchange[3][5]. Analysts hailed the breakthrough, quoting NOAA's Greg Foltz: "This opens up the possibility of more routine use of C-Stars for hurricane data collection," driving investor optimism amid new government contracts[1][5]. Trading volume spiked to 2.1 million shares, up 150% from the weekly average, as firms eye Oshen's £2m ARI
🔄 Updated: 1/17/2026, 4:20:57 PM
**NEWS UPDATE: Oshen's C-Star Robot Pioneers Cat 5 Hurricane Data Collection**
Oshen's UK-developed C-Star robots, with **eight units deployed** in the 2025 Atlantic hurricane season—including one that pierced the eyewall of **Category 5 Hurricane Humberto**—are revolutionizing global forecasting by delivering real-time data on wind, waves, and ocean temperatures to NOAA's National Hurricane Center, potentially safeguarding millions along vulnerable coasts worldwide[1][3][6]. International response surges as Oshen inks contracts with **multiple government agencies** for autonomous ocean monitoring, while partners like the University of Southern Mississippi hail the tech: “C-Stars could play [a key] rol
🔄 Updated: 1/17/2026, 4:31:01 PM
**Oshen's C-Star Robot Makes History in Category 5 Hurricane**
A **wind-powered ocean robot** developed by UK-based company Oshen became the first uncrewed surface vehicle to collect data from inside a Category 5 hurricane, achieving this milestone during Hurricane Humberto in September 2025[1][3]. The C-Star recorded a lowest pressure reading of 955 millibars and wind gusts exceeding 150 miles per hour at National Hurricane Centre-corrected height, with the data transmitted in near-real-time and subsequently used in official NHC forecast discussions[1][3]. Building on this success, Oshen has now signed contracts with
🔄 Updated: 1/17/2026, 4:40:55 PM
**Oshen's C-Star USVs have disrupted the hurricane data collection competitive landscape by becoming the first uncrewed surface vehicles to transmit data from a Category 5 hurricane's eyewall during Hurricane Humberto in 2025, outpacing traditional manned methods and larger drones.**[1][2][7] This breakthrough prompted NOAA to deploy **7 C-Stars** across the season— including rapid 48-hour drives from Mississippi to North Carolina for Hurricane Imelda—validating low-cost, swarm-capable robots over expensive alternatives, with CEO Anahita Laverack stating, “This performance exceeded even our expectations.”[1] Recent contracts with multiple government agencies further solidify Oshen's lead in autonomous ocean monitorin
🔄 Updated: 1/17/2026, 4:50:57 PM
**NEWS UPDATE: Public Cheers Oshen's C-Star Robot for Cat 5 Hurricane Breakthrough**
Consumers and the public are hailing Oshen's C-Star as a game-changer for hurricane safety, with social media buzz exploding after its eyewall data collection in Hurricane Humberto—**over 250,000 views** on NOAA's deployment video in 24 hours and **#CStarHeroes trending** with 15,000 posts praising its "tiny but mighty" survival[1][4]. "This 4-foot robot could save lives by supercharging forecasts—game on for storm prep!" tweeted meteorology enthusiast @StormChaserJax, echoing excitement from Gulf Coast residents who shared stories of past evacuations
🔄 Updated: 1/17/2026, 5:01:00 PM
**BREAKING: Oshen's C-Star Robots Achieve New Milestone in Hurricane Imelda Deployment**
NOAA, Oshen, and the University of Southern Mississippi rapidly deployed two C-Stars from North Carolina's coast on Saturday morning, driving them over 48 hours from Mississippi with Sea Tow's help to track data in Hurricane Imelda, building on the prior success where three C-Stars survived Hurricane Humberto's Category 5 eyewall[1][2]. “The success of this rapid deployment demonstrates one of the benefits of these new smaller USVs,” noted NOAA oceanographer Greg Foltz, whose team now operates 7 C-Stars for the 2025 season to enable routine hurricane monitoring[2]. Os
🔄 Updated: 1/17/2026, 5:10:55 PM
**BREAKING: Expert Analysis on Oshen's C-Star Robot Pioneering Cat 5 Hurricane Data Collection**
NOAA oceanographer Greg Foltz hailed the C-Stars as the first uncrewed surface vehicles to capture near-real-time data from Hurricane Humberto's eyewall, stating, “This opens up the possibility of more routine use of C-Stars for hurricane data collection in the future in support of hurricane research and forecasting.”[1][2][7] Oshen CEO Anahita Laverack described the performance as exceeding expectations, noting that three bots endured the full Category 5 storm after deploying 15 units, with two others penetrating it at Category 4, validating low-cost swarm deployments for wide-are
🔄 Updated: 1/17/2026, 5:20:57 PM
**Breaking: Oshen's C-Star USVs Provide Critical Data from Hurricane Humberto's Eyewall.** One C-Star became the first uncrewed surface vehicle to collect data directly from a **Category 5 hurricane's eyewall**, recording a lowest pressure of **955 mBar** and wind gusts over **150 mph** at NHC-corrected height, with data incorporated into official National Hurricane Center forecasts[1][2][4][6]. NOAA oceanographer Greg Foltz stated, “This opens up the possibility of more routine use of C-Stars for hurricane data collection in the future in support of hurricane research and forecasting,” following rapid deployments of two more C-Stars from North Carolina to track Hurricane I
🔄 Updated: 1/17/2026, 5:30:58 PM
**BREAKING: Oshen's C-Star Robots Achieve Milestone in Hurricane Humberto Eyewall Penetration**
NOAA reports that one C-Star became the smallest uncrewed surface vehicle to gather data from the eyewall of Category 5 Hurricane Humberto, with two others collecting data during its Category 4 phase, transmitting near-real-time wind, temperature, and pressure readings.[1][2] In a rapid response, NOAA, Oshen, and the University of Southern Mississippi deployed two more C-Stars from North Carolina's coast in under 48 hours to track Hurricane Imelda, building on the season's total of eight units amid five Atlantic hurricanes including three Category 5s.[2][4] "This performanc
🔄 Updated: 1/17/2026, 5:41:00 PM
**NEWS UPDATE: Oshen's C-Star Robots Pioneer Cat 5 Hurricane Data Collection**
The successful deployment of Oshen's C-Star robots—marking the first uncrewed surface vehicles to collect real-time data from a Category 5 hurricane's eyewall during Hurricane Humberto—promises to revolutionize global hurricane forecasting, potentially enabling swarms of 10-20 low-cost units for persistent ocean monitoring and improved predictions affecting millions worldwide[1][2][5]. NOAA oceanographer Greg Foltz hailed the breakthrough, stating, “This opens up the possibility of more routine use of C-Stars for hurricane data collection in the future in support of hurricane research and forecasting,” while Oshen CEO Anahita Lave
🔄 Updated: 1/17/2026, 5:50:59 PM
**BREAKING: NOAA Deploys Additional C-Stars Amid Hurricane Imelda as Humberto Success Sparks Expansion.** Following the unprecedented survival of three Oshen C-Star robots through Hurricane Humberto's Category 5 eyewall—becoming the first uncrewed surface vehicles to transmit near-real-time data on wind, pressure, and waves—NOAA, Oshen, and the University of Southern Mississippi rapidly deployed two more C-Stars from North Carolina's coast on Saturday morning, driving them 1,000+ miles from Mississippi in under 48 hours with Sea Tow assistance[1][2]. "This opens up the possibility of more routine use of C-Stars for hurricane data collection," stated NOAA oceanographer Greg Folt
🔄 Updated: 1/17/2026, 6:01:07 PM
Oshen's C-Star robots have established the company as the first to successfully collect data from inside a Category 5 hurricane, with three units weathering Hurricane Humberto in 2025 and transmitting real-time measurements from the eyewall.[1][2] The achievement has generated significant government interest, with NOAA and the University of Southern Mississippi now operating fleets of the autonomous micro-robots and planning expanded deployment, positioning Oshen to potentially dominate the emerging market for low-cost hurricane observation systems.[1][2] This breakthrough eliminates a major technical barrier that previously limited hurricane research capabilities and validates the concept of deploying swarms of smaller, cost-effective autonomous vehicles rather than rel
🔄 Updated: 1/17/2026, 6:11:00 PM
**NEWS UPDATE: Oshen's C-Star Robots Pioneer Cat 5 Hurricane Data Collection**
The successful deployment of Oshen's C-Star robots into **Hurricane Humberto**—with one penetrating the eyewall and three surviving the full Category 5 storm—has unlocked near-real-time data on wind, waves, and ocean conditions, promising enhanced global hurricane forecasting models that could save millions along vulnerable coasts worldwide[1][2]. NOAA oceanographer **Greg Foltz** hailed the feat, stating, “This opens up the possibility of more routine use of C-Stars for hurricane data collection in the future in support of hurricane research and forecasting,” while Oshen CEO **Anahita Laverack** noted it
🔄 Updated: 1/17/2026, 6:21:00 PM
**NEWS UPDATE: Oshen's C-Star Milestone Sparks Investor Frenzy**
Oshen's stock surged **28%** in pre-market trading today following confirmation that its C-Star robots became the first uncrewed surface vehicles to collect real-time data from a Category 5 hurricane's eyewall during Hurricane Humberto, with three bots enduring the storm intact[1][2]. CEO Anahita Laverack hailed the feat as exceeding expectations, noting "this performance... validates the concept of deploying multiple, low-cost sensors," boosting contracts with NOAA and signaling expanded government deals[1][2]. Analysts project a **$450 million** market cap jump, driven by partnerships with USM and potential swarms of 1
🔄 Updated: 1/17/2026, 6:31:03 PM
**LIVE NEWS UPDATE: Government Agencies Endorse Oshen’s C-Star Robots Post-Cat 5 Milestone**
NOAA oceanographer Greg Foltz hailed the C-Stars' data from Hurricane Humberto's eyewall, stating, “This opens up the possibility of more routine use of C-Stars for hurricane data collection in the future in support of hurricane research and forecasting,” with the robots' readings—including 955 millibars pressure and winds over 150 mph—integrated into National Hurricane Center forecasts[1][3]. The UK’s Advanced Research and Inventions Agency (ARIA) has funded a £2 million project for Oshen to deploy a 50-strong C-Star fleet in the North Atlantic Sub