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Find out how our sensor modules can help with your humanoid robot design.

A&M - Case Study Sea.ai Marine Monitoring System

Reliable Attitude, Heading and Heave Output for Every Marine Mission

Maintain precise attitude and heading, even near metallic structures or in unpredictable wave motion: on the surface or under the sea.


Xsens’ advanced magnetic interferences compensation and high frequency orientation output ensure reliable data you can trust.

 

Ideal for:

 

  • Vessel motion tracking and stabilization

  • ROVs and UAVs orientation

  • Offshore platforms and cranes

  • Antenna and radar alignment

  • Buoy and surface station orientation

ROV - sub sea

Surface and Subsea Applications

Xsens IMUs and MRUs perform reliably both above and below the surface.


For surface applications, integrated Heave output - with a 5 cm. accuracy up to 29 seconds - adds real-time vertical displacement data for active heave compensation in vessel and platform stabilization.


Underwater, Xsens sensors provide accurate roll, pitch, and heading data, and can be easily used with DVL/USBL systems for complete subsea navigation.

 

Use Cases:

 

  • ROV and AUV navigation

  • Subsea mapping and inspection

  • Cable laying and docking systems

  • Autonomous surface vehicles

 

Sensor fusion algorithms Marine-Grade Sensor Fusion Expertise

With over two decades of motion-tracking innovation, Xsens integrates high-precision gyroscopes, accelerometers, and magnetometers through advanced onboard fusion algorithms, optimized for long-period marine motion.

 

Key benefits:

  • Real-time onboard processing (no post-processing required)

  • Sub-2 ms latency for responsive control systems

  • Reliable performance in both low- and high-dynamic environments

smallest-grade-form-factor Compact, Scalable, and Easy to Integrate

Designed for engineers who need precision without compromise, Xsens sensors offer multiple form factors and interfaces: from small SMD and OEM modules to rugged IP68 housings.

 

Highlights:

 

  • Compact footprint for micro-ROVs and embedded systems

  • RS-422 interface for long cable runs on vessels

  • SDKs and open-source tools for rapid integration

A huge upgrade for a minimal in-house investment Superb cost / performance ratio

Traditional Motion Reference Units (MRUs) are usually expensive and bulky.
Xsens brings the same level of motion data precision, but in compact and flexible modules, ideal for space constrained, cost-sensitive or high-volume projects.

 

You get:

 

  • Roll, pitch, and heave accuracy comparable to marine-dedicated units

  • Easy system integration and scaling

  • Industrial-grade reliability

How Xsens sensor modules address common Marine challenges:

Magnetic interference near equipment

Our advanced magnetic model ensures stable heading.

No GNSS signal underwater

Reliable orientation data; can work well with DVL/USBL inputs.

Harsh motion and long-period waves

Onboard sensor fusion with heave output compensates for unpredictable dynamics.

Space constraints on ROVs/AUVs

For small vehicles, compact OEM or SMD modules fit seamlessly into tight enclosures.

Xsens Sensor Modules for Marine Applications

A&M - Photo Avior Workshop Background 2-Web-opt

Xsens Avior Series

  • Premium OEM solution, low SwaP-C package.
  • High accuracy for demanding motion dynamics.
  • Wide interface support (UART, CAN, I2C, SPI, UART, RS232, RS424, optional EtherCAT).
  • MRU, support for Heave.
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A&M - Photo Xsens Sirius AHRS Workshop-Web

Xsens Sirius Series

  • Designed to withstand the most harsh marine environments.
  • MIL-standard IP68 housing, resistant to temperature extremes, humidity, salt spray, shock & vibration, and electromagnetic interference.​
  • MRU, support for Heave.
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MTi-1-series-a-Large_edited

MTi 1-Series

  • Ultra-compact (12 × 12 mm), lightweight and low-power SMD module for space-constrained designs.
  • Delivers reliable orientation and positioning with onboard sensor fusion.
  • AHRS, INS/GNSS or INS/GNSS + RTK options, also available in easy to integrate modules for fast prototyping. 
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MTi 600-series 2

MTi 600-Series

  • Includes OEM and Rugged (IP68 housing) modules.
  • OEM modules are compact and easy to integrate in embedded systems.
  • Proven performance: deployed in hundreds of Marine designs.
  • AHRS, INS/GNSS or INS/GNSS + RTK options available. 
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Marine - 2

Trusted Across the Marine Industry

Xsens inertial sensors are already widely used in:

 

  • Offshore drilling and construction

  • Vessel stabilization and dynamic positioning

  • ROV/AUV navigation and control

  • Marine robotics, buoys, and surface platforms

Engineers worldwide rely on Xsens for dependable motion data that powers research, safety, and automation at sea.

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Inertial Sensors for Marine Applications - FAQs

What is an MRU?

An MRU (Motion Reference Unit) is an inertial sensor system designed to measure roll, pitch, and heave motion on marine platforms. MRUs are used on vessels, offshore rigs, and underwater systems to monitor and compensate for movement caused by waves and vessel dynamics.
Xsens Avior and Sirius are industrial-grade MRUs, combining high-accuracy orientation (AHRS) with integrated Heave output — delivering MRU-level performance in a compact and cost-efficient form factor.

What is Heave and why does it matter in marine systems?

Heave refers to the vertical up-and-down motion of a vessel or structure caused by waves.
Accurate Heave measurement is crucial for operations like drilling, crane stabilization, docking, and autonomous navigation — where vertical displacement must be known or compensated in real time.
Xsens sensors provide real-time Heave data processed onboard, helping marine engineers stabilize systems and improve safety and control.

How is an Xsens MRU different from traditional marine MRUs?

Traditional MRUs are large, certified, and costly systems designed for heavy-duty vessels and defense use.
Xsens MRUs — based on the Avior and Sirius platforms — deliver the same motion data precision (roll, pitch, and Heave) but in a more compact, industrial-grade form.
They are ideal for integrators building smaller, scalable, or cost-sensitive marine systems such as ROVs, AUVs, buoys, and autonomous surface vessels.

What kind of accuracy can I expect from Xsens Heave output?

Xsens Heave algorithms provide up to 5 cm accuracy for wave periods up to 29 seconds, and 6 cm for up to 40-second periods, matching or outperforming traditional MRUs in real-time performance.
Unlike many systems that require post-processing, Xsens Heave is computed directly onboard — ensuring real-time Heave data for control and monitoring applications.

What makes Xsens sensors reliable in marine environments?

Each Xsens module undergoes in-house calibration and rigorous testing for accuracy, temperature stability, and magnetic disturbance rejection.
Industrial-grade housings (up to IP68) protect against water and salt spray, while onboard algorithms ensure reliable performance in both calm and high-dynamic conditions.

What is the difference between Avior and Sirius MRUs?

Both are industrial-grade MRUs with Heave, sharing the same sensor fusion firmware.

  • Avior: Compact OEM module for integration into embedded systems and small vehicles.

  • Sirius: Housed, IP68-rated MRU ready for external mounting in marine environments.
    Both provide identical performance and data output — the difference lies in form factor and integration style.

Marine Case Studies