Tiny ocean robot captures first-ever data inside Category 5 hurricane

A surfboard-sized, wind- and solar-powered ocean robot called the C-Star has become the first uncrewed surface vehicle (USV) to capture and transmit live data from inside a Category 5 hurricane. During Hurricane Humberto on September 28, 2025, one of the four-foot-long C-Stars entered the storm’s eyewall, recording critical measurements such as a minimum air pressure of 955 millibars and hurricane-force gusts exceeding 150 mph. The data, including wind speed, direction, air pressure, temperature, humidity, and sea surface conditions, were transmitted every two minutes and used by NOAA forecasters to improve storm analysis and forecasting. NOAA, in partnership with the UK robotics firm Oshen and the University of Southern Mississippi, is operating seven C-Stars during the 2025 hurricane season to enhance understanding of hurricanes and advance prediction capabilities. The project also demonstrated rapid deployment capabilities, with two C-Stars transported and deployed within 48 hours to track