Marina drones with extreme endurance for more vigorous monitoring of the marine environment

Purpose and goal

Several actors in the society today demands increased data used in forecasts, permits and sustainable utilization of our waters and seas. Conventional methods, which are based on manned vessels or fixed measurement systems, will not be an efficient way forward, due to high costs, too few measurement points and other limitations. The project demonstrates the use of automated drones on the sea for measurements and observations in the marine environment. The three different vessels together enable sustainable efforts with little staff effort and OPEX and CAPEX.

Expected results and effects

Two existing drones and one drone designed in the project, cooperate and are monitored via a common web-based interface, which means that operators and clients can be physically different but share the same situation. With relatively small means, this type of drones could become the invaluable resource for monitoring Sweden´s vulnerable maritime resources that today is missing. New services and products can be created, and with this, jobs and export opportunities. The platforms are very well suited for training students in cyber-physical systems.

Planned approach and implementation

The project started with two workshops, where we went through the current situation and where we wish to be at the end of the project. This was concretized in a scenario that contained the strengths of the three drones (endurance, strength, speed), and an idea of how the drones would be monitored in a common way. The project demonstrated collaborative drones on the water off Västervik. The platforms are currently used actively in research, development and demonstration of new methods and for students in their education and research.

External links

Projektet har koordinerats av Swedish Centre for Ocean Observing Technology, vars hemsida ger en kort beskrivning.