Springville, UT – A prototype radar sensor, designed to reliably and accurately determine capacity levels in RV water and waste tanks, made its debut at the Elkhart Open House Supplier Show and was met with what exhibitors described as “great enthusiasm.” The 2023 show, which was held 25 – 29September in Elkhart, Indiana, marked the first public demonstration of the Fathom RV Tank Radar sensor, and the demonstration team says the response from attendees was overwhelmingly positive.
Imagine traveling in a recreation vehicle and having no idea what the levels are in your water and waste tanks. Perhaps the tank capacity displays are simply not providing data; or worse, the displays indicate everything is fine when they are not. Unfortunately, you won’t know there is a problem until you can’t get clean water from the tap, or the toilet begins to overflow. And suddenly, your dream vacation becomes a nightmare.
“Inaccurate tank sensors have been a thorn in the RV industry’s side for years,” says Daniel Sharp, a research engineer with AlphaHive, a startup incubator and research organization located in Springville, Utah. “The traditional technologies used to sense RV tank levels are well-known to be unreliable, and this is a pain point that thousands of dedicated RV owners face every time they travel.”
According to Sharp, AlphaHive is poised to end that pain with radar. The Fathom RV Tank Radar sensor is designed to detect tank levels from outside the tank. Visitors to the Fathom booth in Elkhart saw a recycling system of pumps rotating water between two tanks; and could see in real time as the top-mounted sensor accurately detected and reported the changing levels.
“Visitors were intrigued by the sensor’s performance, and many of them returned with colleagues to see the demonstration again, or to setup later visits and ask questions,” Sharp says. “We were able to demonstrate the benefits of radar, and visitors were particularly interested in the sleek design, the long life of radar, and the unparalleled accuracy.”
The Fathom technology is built on radar developed by Wavetronix, the leading radar manufacturer for traffic detection and the parent company of AlphaHive. The prototype’s performance at Elkhart generated a lot of interest and has spurred the team to continue its development.
“Our admittedly humble little booth was one of the most active spaces at the show,” Sharp says. “The warm reception we received proves there is an appetite in the RV industry for better technologies, and we will continue to develop this sensor in earnest.”
About AlphaHive – AlphaHive is a unique startup incubator formed by the worldwide engineering and manufacturing company Wavetronix. Located in Springville, Utah, AlphaHive’s mission is to foster a university-level research, development, and mentorship environment focused on creating solutions to real-world problems, and unite it with hungry, innovative, and creative entrepreneurs ready and motivated to take these solutions and create start-ups. For more information, visit AlphaHive online at www.alphahive.com.
About Wavetronix - Wavetronix engineers and manufactures products that detect, connect, and direct the traffic data needed for safer, more efficient roads and intersections. Founded in 2000, Wavetronix is headquartered in Springville, Utah, with regional offices located in Florida, London, France, China, Singapore, and other locations across the globe. Wavetronix’ proprietary technologies are protected by US and international patents; other patents pending. For more information, visit Wavetronix online at www.wavetronix.com.
