Pilot Site 3: Autonomous Marine Vehicle Operation Site
Autonomous Marine Vehicle Operation Site
A Dynamic Hub for Maritime Innovation
Nestled in Šibenik, at Martinska research station operated by the Ruđer Bošković Institute, this pilot site provides immediate access to open water for remote experiments, continuous monitoring, and technology demonstrations involving autonomous marine vehicles. By integrating onshore facilities, an underwater network, and specialized diving services, it offers a versatile environment for advancing the future of maritime environmental monitoring and autonomy.
Shore Station: Real-Time Control and Collaboration
A dedicated shore station serves as the centre for maintenance, data management, and secure communications. Connected to submerged nodes via fiber optic and power cables, it allows operators to:
- monitor and control autonomous surface and underwater vehicles in real time
- exchange high-bandwidth data with the CoE MARBLE headquarters and other pilot sites
- coordinate multi-robot missions and test advanced navigation algorithms using remote access technologies
Underwater Network: Power and Data Beneath the Surface
At the heart of this site lies a network of four submerged nodes connected to the central node. On the surface above two of the nodes, there are data buoys.
Nodes and buoys are designed for:
- environmental sensing (e.g. temperature, salinity, pollutant levels)
- acoustic and optic communication testing
- detection and localization of vessels using underwater and surface cameras and lidar
Researchers can easily reconfigure or expand this network, adding additional nodes and novel sensors to support evolving R&D objectives.
Diving Centre: Maintenance, Training, and Safety
A fully equipped diving centre stands ready to support underwater installations, maintenance tasks, and research dives. This facility includes:
- Air and Nitrox supply systems for extended dives
- Hands-on training opportunities for scientists, students, and industry partners eager to develop expertise in marine operations
Field-Ready AUV: Bridging Science and Application
To showcase and validate cutting-edge marine autonomy research, the pilot site operates a shallow-water AUV (IQUA’s SPARUS II) capable of diving up to 200 meters. Equipped with modular payloads, such as DVL, INS, GNSS, USBL, MBES, side-scan sonar, and underwater camera with LED lights/flash, it facilitates:
- precision navigation and localization trials
- collaborative missions with aerial and surface robots
- environmental surveys for ecosystem assessments
Driving Tomorrow’s Maritime Autonomy
By offering an all-in-one platform for remote experiments, real-time control, and innovative robotics testing, this pilot site accelerates the development of reliable, eco-friendly maritime solutions. This synergy of infrastructure, technology, and expertise paves the way for breakthroughs in autonomous marine operations—contributing to safer, smarter, and more sustainable seas for all.
