Argo Increases Depth Data Coverage and Accuracy for Navigating Waterways with New Lake Mapping Project
Argo Navigation LLC, developer of the popular navigation and social boating app Argo, and Salisbury University have been selected to receive a Maryland Industrial Partnerships (MIPS) award to fund Argo’s Bathymetric Mapping of Lakes project. Argo will work in partnership with Dr. Arthur Lembo, Professor of Geography and Geosciences at Salisbury University and internationally known expert.
MIPS provides funding for research projects at Maryland’s public universities that support companies who are developing new products. Funds are awarded on a competitive basis for projects based on proposals submitted jointly by Maryland companies and researchers from any of the 13 University System institutions. Projects are initiated by the companies to meet their own research and development goals.
Argo is a popular marine navigation app that allows boaters to easily and safely route anywhere in North America based on a vessel’s draft, the bathymetry (or depth) of the water, and other geospatial characteristics.
“Currently, the app relies primarily on NOAA and USACE (US Army Corps of Engineers) for its bathymetry data,” said Jeff Foulk, founder of Argo Navigation. “This project will bring large amounts of new bathymetric data into the Argo app from a range of data sources in various formats and will help us process and integrate it into Argo. We are targeting the lakes and inland waterways with the most recreational boaters to serve the widest possible community and supplement what we have from NOAA charts and USACE data. Upon completion, the app will have a proven process and expanded bathymetry on which to grow our navigation service and increase boater safety.”
MIPS enables Maryland firms to leverage their R&D funds and gain access to the creative talents and extensive research base of the University System of Maryland. Argo’s project directly supports MIPS’ program goals to promote the commercialization of advanced technology through university/industry partnerships, and to strengthen the economy of the state of Maryland. Funding and project research began in February 2023.
