About

The next generation solution for marine data exchange

Signal K enables communication between instruments and sensors on board a vessel, and enables sharing of data between boats, aids to navigation, bridges, marinas and other land-based resources. It is designed to be easily used by web and mobile applications and to connect modern boats to the Internet of Things.

Origin

How it all began

Signal K began in GitHub issue, as a solution for 5 developers to make their projects interoperable. Frustrated at the closed protocols, expensive hardware and internet “unfriendliness” of marine data, they decided to develop a new “Open Data Standard” that would compliment and expand the existing marine data protocols.

By utilising modern web technologies and protocols, running on low cost but powerful hardware platforms and encouraging an open and collaborative community of developers all working to a common goal, they have managed to create a really powerful and expandable data format, that keeps changing the marine electronics ecosystem in a more open direction.

Community

Built by a global community of boaters, for boaters

Free & Open Source

All code & artifacts are released as Open Source, mostly under the Apache 2 license.

Volunteer Led

There is no legal entity for Signal K. Volunteers lead and coordinate a global community of contributors.

Community Supported

The community is supported by donations and sponsorships from individuals and companies.

Globally Distributed

Signal K is used by and built by boaters all over the world.

Team

Meet the core-contributors

The project is led by a group of volunteers who are passionate about open data and interoperability in the marine electronics ecosystem.

Stats

The ecosystem is vibrant and growing