Signo
about.
Signo is an autonomous floating system designed to monitor water-quality on the St. Lawrence River continuously, replacing fragmented manual testing with connected, ongoing environmental data.
challenge.
Water quality in the St. Lawrence is still monitored through systems that are often manual, delayed, costly, and fragmented. Signo was developed around six criteria: autonomous, continuous, precise, connected, integrated, and low maintenance.
system logic.
The buoy is built around a closed monitoring loop: analyze, detect, alert, and monitor. Each function is supported by a simplified product architecture, from the light antenna and upper shell to the protected measuring probe.
outcome.
The final Signo buoy completes a closed monitoring loop — analyses, detects, alerts, monitors — delivering continuous, connected data where manual testing once fell short.
Recognition.
Signo received the Alto prize at EFFA 2026 for the quality of its research, contextual analysis, and complete design solution.
Benoit Orban
PM At Alto Design
