Tandem Ventures develops WHASER 3D printed whale data capture device with Whale Wise

Tandem Ventures, an R&D agency led by Chief Design Officer Sam Rogers and designer Edwin Towler, has completed the development of WHASER, a specialized range-finding tool for marine conservation. Working in partnership with Whale Wise, the team utilized Bambu Lab H2D and P1S FDM printers to iterate a compact, whale-shaped enclosure that integrates an Arduino ESP32 Nano, LiDAR sensor, GPS module, IMU, and OLED display. The final hardware iteration weighs 170 grams and is designed for drone-mounted deployment to capture precise humpback whale measurements via altitude-corrected LiDAR data. Following successful field testing in Iceland's Westfjords, where it verified data against known 10.24-meter specimens, the device has transitioned from a functional prototype to a scalable product.

This development highlights the increasing utility of desktop FDM technology in rapid prototyping for specialized environmental sensor housings. By moving away from bulky, fragile legacy LiDAR rigs to a lightweight, integrated 3D printed form factor, Tandem Ventures addresses the critical need for high-accuracy data collection in high-motion aquatic environments. The ability to optimize internal geometry for component stability during transport and reduce total weight to 170 grams directly extends drone flight endurance, a key metric for field researchers. This application demonstrates how additive manufacturing serves as a bridge between custom electronic integration and ruggedized field hardware in the niche marine biology sector.

Tandem Ventures has opted for an open-source model, allowing researchers to 3D print bespoke components to adapt the system for other species like dolphins or sea turtles. To move into commercial distribution, the company must now manage the logistics of its bespoke hard-shell cases and the individual serial number monitoring system for global shipments. The success of this deployment depends on the reliability of the sealed LiDAR sensor and the durability of the printed enclosures under varying maritime environmental conditions.