Cascadia Reseach Collective has spent more than four decades at the forefront of marine mammal science – championing high-quality, impactful research, education, and response across the North Pacific. In the summer of 2025, their field teams and collaborative network once again demonstrated their lifesaving impact in the Salish Sea, freeing a young humpback whale named Starry Knight from two devastating entanglements in just weeks – testament to their expertise, coordination, and unwavering commitment to marine conservation.
The Challenge:
Marine mammal field research requires teams to collect highly detailed and standardized data in harsh conditions: long days on the water, fog, salt spray, and unpredictable weather. Before rugged tablets, much of the data entry was done on paper, leaving room for interpretation errors, slower processing, and longer turnaround times for analysis. For Cascadia Research Collective, improving field data accuracy, efficiency, and durability was critical to both their day-to-day research and their lifesaving entanglement response work.
The Solution:
Over 15 years ago, Cascadia implemented MobileDemand’s rugged tablets as a primary data collection tool in the field. Since then, the tablets have become a trusted companion on the water, providing durability, functionality, and adaptability in demanding conditions.
Currently, the T1190 tablets are central to Cascadia’s work. Researchers use them to power Microsoft Access databases that streamline field data entry. Dropdown menus for whale behavior categories (ethograms) ensure accuracy and consistency across encounters, while integrated GPS captures precise locations of sightings and events. The compact design of the T1190 makes it easy to use on small boats, and extended functionality through accessories and customizations – such as custom MS Access keypads, dropdown menus, and onboard inverters for charging during 12+ hour days – has further optimized the workflow.
“Training with the Access Database on a tablet is easier than paper data. You can set the range for fields. As an example, there is a thing called an ethogram that describes whale behavior – these have been standardized among researchers over decades and are published in peer-reviewed literature. Having the ethogram categories in a dropdown box standardizes the data.” – Doug Sandilands, Cascadia Research Collective
With rugged tablets in hand, field teams can efficiently log trip details, encounters, and even entanglement response activities. From start times and GPS points to whale counts, photographs, and behavioral notes, the tablets ensure that vital information is captured quickly and accurately in the moment.
The Results:
The adoption of MobileDemand tablets transformed Cascadia’s research process. Data entry and training became more efficient, standardized, and reliable compared to paper methods. Field researchers gained more time to analyze results rather than spending hours transcribing data. This shift has contributed directly to Cascadia’s extensive body of peer-reviewed publications, a high proportion of which were powered by data collected on MobileDemand tablets.
Beyond research, the tablets also play a critical role in documenting entanglement events – logging key details that inform rescue operations, strategies, and long-term monitoring of impacted whales.
Looking Ahead:
While the T1190 is no longer available for purchase, MobileDemand’s xTablet T1195 is the most comparable current model.
Key features include:
- Ultra-slim and lightweight.
- Rugged design featuring MIL-STD-810G and IP65 dust/water protection.
- Sunlight-viewable multi-touch display.
- Robust wireless: Wi-Fi 6E, Bluetooth 5.3, GPS, optional 4G LTE.
- Expandable with POS modules, barcode scanner, NFC, and Snap Mount options.
- Runs Windows 11 Pro/Enterprise, with a 3-year warranty and optional xProtect coverage.
Future Plans:
While the T1190 tablets remain essential in the field, Cascadia continues to adapt and innovate, adding accessories and customizations to meet the demands of long and challenging research days at sea. They remain optimistic about the future MobileDemand tablets incorporating even more field-focused features. For now, the rugged design and adaptability of MobileDemand solutions remain a cornerstone of Cascadia’s ability to perform research and rescue operations in some of the most challenging marine environments.
Cascadia not only recommends MobileDemand tablets to peers, but has even supplied them to collaborators, spreading the benefits of rugged technology across the marine research community. Despite challenges, one thing remains clear: rugged tablets are indispensable to Cascadia’s mission of advancing marine science and saving whales.
