Keenan Ball

Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration

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About

Keenan Ball is a leading researcher in underwater acoustic communications and autonomous underwater vehicle (AUV) technology, with a career spanning two decades of innovation in marine robotics and bioacoustics. His foundational work includes the development of a multi-band acoustic modem for 21-inch AUVs, a system that enables operation at multiple data rates across two frequency bands—a contribution that has garnered 44 citations and remains a reference point for underwater communication systems. Ball’s research has significantly advanced the integration of passive acoustics into autonomous platforms, as demonstrated by his 2021 study on near real-time detection of low-frequency baleen whale calls from autonomous surface vehicles. This work, cited 14 times, addresses critical challenges in marine mammal conservation by enabling persistent, low-power monitoring. He also pioneered a mobile communications gateway for AUV telemetry, allowing operators to maintain acoustic links without deploying moored buoys. Ball’s contributions are vital for students and researchers exploring the intersection of robotics, acoustics, and environmental monitoring, offering practical solutions for real-time data transmission and wildlife protection in challenging marine environments.