As part of the TWINNEDbySTARS project led by the University of Las Palmas de Gran Canaria, an insightful interview was conducted by Misael Morales, CEO of Biosean and one of the companies in the TWINNEDbySTARS community, with Robb Nichols, founder, general manager, and product designer of Aquarian Audio. Nichols shared the inspiring journey of his brand, highlighting his commitment to making hydrophones more accessible and his crucial role in fostering ocean awareness and sustainability.
From Personal Passion to Global Enterprise
Robb Nichols, who describes himself as “just a guy who has always loved sound,” founded Aquarian Audio 27 years ago. Although he initially aimed to become a teacher and explored mechanical engineering, his passion led him to work with audio, starting with marine systems and home stereo equipment.
The origins of Aquarian date back to the late 1990s, when Nichols was guiding kayak tours. He wanted to listen to whales and, being an electronics enthusiast, this need drove him to build his first hydrophone. This early device, cobbled together from an old telephone cord, plumbing fittings, and basic electronic components, may have “sounded awful,” but it worked—and opened up an underwater world previously inaccessible due to the high cost of commercial hydrophones.
In 1998, Nichols published an article in Sea Kayaker magazine on how to build a $15 hydrophone, which sparked the launch of his first production kit. What began as a “hobby business” has slowly evolved into a global brand, despite having only three full-time employees and a couple of management staff.
Accessibility, Not High Tech
Aquarian Audio’s core mission has always been to make hydrophones more accessible and affordable, allowing more people to use them. Nichols explained that, while hydrophones originated in military and pure science applications, they have historically been both difficult to obtain and extremely expensive.
The brand prioritizes creative design over cutting-edge technology. Its products are built to be robust, easy to repair, and highly sensitive. Aquarian’s focus on efficient manufacturing processes enables fast assembly and expedited shipping—sometimes the very same day—in contrast to the one-month or longer lead times common in the industry.
A Change Agent for Sustainability
By making hydrophones more accessible to industry, tourism, academia, and anyone curious, Aquarian Audio is helping showcase aquatic life from an “additional perspective.” The more people use these sensors, and the more devices are deployed in the seas, the greater the chances of generating new discoveries.
Beyond raising awareness of marine life, Aquarian’s products have direct applications across different fields of sustainability. In business, they enable efficient real-time leak detection, contributing to water conservation. In aquaculture, hydrophones are used to listen to the feeding sounds of shrimp; once the shrimp stop eating, operators can turn off the feeders, reducing both food waste and environmental pollution. In engineering, these sensors are used to verify structural integrity—from bridge pilings to detecting leaks in gas wells—bringing safety and efficiency to processes with significant environmental impact.
Looking Ahead: Democratization of Sensors
Robb Nichols envisions Aquarian Audio as well positioned to benefit from the democratization of sensors. With the rise of low-cost computing devices like Raspberry Pi and Arduino, the company aims to empower the user community to build mesh networks in the ocean.
The goal is twofold: to uphold values of accessibility for anyone curious, and to provide affordable, high-quality sensors that help mitigate anthropogenic noise and prevent serious incidents such as ship-whale collisions.
“Sustainability should be everyone’s goal,” Nichols concluded. “I have kids. I want them to grow up in a world that still has whales and everything else we’re trying to protect.”
The journalist thanked Nichols for sharing his experience and vision, emphasizing that the work of scientists and the dissemination of their data are essential.
Watch the full interview on YouTube
Discover more about Robb Nichols’ journey and Aquarian Audio’s mission in our in-depth conversation. Don’t miss it!