INESC TEC invests in technology for the Sea

Protocols with IPMA and CIIMAR enable cooperation in aquaculture

INESC TEC participated in the second edition of the Sea Fair 2012, which took place between 10 and12 May at the Exponor in Matosinhos. As part of this international fair, INESC TEC signed two protocols with CIIMAR (Interdisciplinary Centre for Marine and Environmental Research) and the IPMA (the new Portuguese Institute of the Sea and Atmosphere), a ceremony which was attended by the President of the Portuguese Republic and the Secretary of State for Maritime Affairs. The aim with these protocols is to combine robotics and artificial intelligence activities related to the sea. As part of this event, INESC TEC also organised a Workshop on technologies to support search and rescue operations at sea, where the ICARUS project was highlighted for its maritime safety features.

Focus on the Economy of the Sea

INESC TEC participated again this year in the second edition of the Sea Fair, an initiative that focuses on commercial activities and new business and scientific research areas related to the Economy of the Sea. At this strategic event, INESC TEC had the opportunity to display some of their sea-related technologies, including the underwater robot MARES (a tool which is capable of studying the seabed and water quality), the vessels ROAZII and FASt, a 3D screen where visitors could see a simulation of robotic training operators, in this case underwater robots, as well as a prototype of a JANUS box, a device that is able to communicate with other JANUS boxes to form a meshed network which may cover a wide area for search and rescue operations.

At this event, INESC TEC shared a stand with CIMAR, an institution that is celebrating this year its 10th anniversary with the status of Associate Laboratory. During the initiative, INESC TEC signed a cooperation protocol with CIIMAR, which integrates the CIMAR Associated Laboratory, for the development of aquaculture projects. As part of this multidisciplinary partnership, INESC TEC will contribute with its expertise in robotic concepts, such as fibre optic biosensors to monitor the presence of cyanide and water treatment, while CIIMAR will play an important role in the biology component. With this protocol, INESC TEC and CIIMAR will be combining engineering and biology, an evolution that is natural to both institutions as they are both members of the Sea clusters of the OCEANO XXI and of the University of Porto.

The Sea Fair was also the place for the first public presentation of RobVigil, the surveillance robot that is able to detect gases, fire, smoke, water on the floor and to communicate, through tele- and video conferencing, with other robots or with humans. This robot should simplify surveillance activities and reduce the risks inherent to such tasks. Developed as part of a 1.2 million Euro consortium, the first experimental units will be on the market later this year. Because this event welcomes both professionals and individuals interested in this area, this is a privileged stage to present innovative technology.

Protocols and IPMA CIIMAR enable cooperation

In addition to the protocol with CIIMAR, INESC TEC also signed a protocol with the IPMA. The three institutions will now begin practical cooperation and the aim is to promote the development of new aquaculture technologies and exports, thus contributing to a sector – the Sea economy – that is frankly expanding and has a lot of potential in Portugal. While the first protocol with CIIMAR focuses on aquaculture activities on-shore, the collaboration with the IPMA will explore aquaculture activities off-shore.

More specifically, the construction of autonomous robots will be promoted that can analyse water quality and, for instance, warn authorities on the degradation of environmental quality. Furthermore, combining robotics and artificial intelligence with marine biotechnology, it will be possible to develop autonomous instruments capable of taking profit from the aquaculture activities in coastal areas. These protocols are thus confirmation of INESC TEC’s intention to play a key role in the Economy of the Sea. The President of the Portuguese Republic and the Secretary of State for Maritime Affairs were both present at the signing ceremony.

It is expected that the first technologies developed jointly by both institutions will be completed in 2013. With this union, these institutions will be joining their skills and promoting synergies, taking advantage of the unique potential of the Portuguese coast and strengthening the national capacity to produce and export new robotic maritime technologies, an area which is becoming more and more appealing to foreign investors.

Search and rescue technology also highlighted

During this event, INESC TEC also organised the Workshop "Technologies to Support Search and Rescue Operations in a Maritime Environment", which took place in 10 May. During this event, project ICARUS (Integrated Components for Unmanned Assisted Search and Rescue operations) was presented publicly for the first time. The event included speeches from several professionals connected to the sea, such as Geert Cubber from the Belgian Royal Military Academy, Aníbal Matos (INESC TEC), Dias Coelho, Reis Vieira, Lopes da Costa and Victor Lobo, all from the Portuguese Naval School, António Rocha from Zodport, José Festas from the APMSHM (the Association for the Safety of Men at Sea), Lúcia Rodrigues from CITEVE (Technological Centre for the Textile and Clothing Industries in Portugal) and, finally, João Canais from the ESRI Portugal.

Tools to support search and rescue operations in maritime environments, safety equipment at sea, effects of tsunamis on the coastline, the use of autonomous vehicles in search and rescue operations, security conditions in the fishing sector, or even textile innovations applied to safety at Sea were just some of the issues addressed during this Workshop, where it was clear that INESC TEC was willing to make a strong commitment in the field of maritime safety. After exporting the underwater robot TriMARES to Brazil, INESC TEC confirms again the strategy of getting to a forefront position in marine robotics, now developing technology to assist rescue teams in crisis scenarios at sea (in cruise ship wrecks, for instance).

With a large number of people attending this event, in which about 30 INESC TEC collaborators represented the institution, the Sea Fair has proved once again that it is a strategic event to INESC TEC as it is a platform to display innovative technology with great export potential.

Have your say

Filipe Castro (Researcher at CIMAR-LA)

"In the last edition of the Sea Fair, the CIMAR-LA and INESC TEC shared a stand, and that was a moment for both institutions to confirm and strengthen their institutional and scientific relations. This joint participation at the event was also an opportunity for both institutions to validate their contribution to the evolution of Portuguese Science in the international arena."

Photos:
Photo 5 - Ciência Hoje
Photo 11 - Ciência 2.0