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FORNY20-FORNY2020

Syrenna: Scalable underwater intelligence

Alternative title: Syrenna: Skalerbar undervannsintelligens

Awarded: NOK 5.0 mill.

Project Manager:

Project Number:

341657

Project Period:

2023 - 2024

Funding received from:

Organisation:

Location:

Obtaining real-time measurements from the ocean water column and seabed is no easy feat. For years, oceanographic buoys have been used to collect data from a single location for extended periods, but their cumbersome size and weight make them challenging to deploy and maintain. Installing sensors at different depths and establishing a communication system adds another layer of complexity. During project OASYS, funded by the Research Council of Norway (RCN) and led by OsloMet, a prototype of a small underwater glider was developed which served as inspiration for an innovative solution to obtain real-time ocean measurements. The solution involves using a simple underwater drone to transmit ocean measurements in real-time via satellite or mobile phone networks. Unlike traditional oceanographic buoys that are designed to withstand the worst-case weather scenarios, the Syrenna WaterDrone is lightweight and easier to deploy, making it a game-changer in the world of oceanography. It can autonomously descend to the seabed, making it less of an obstacle to marine traffic, and minimizing the risk of sabotage or equipment theft. Another advantage of the Syrenna WaterDrone is that it can obtain measurements of the sea surface, water column, and seabed. The drone's unique design minimizes the effect of biofouling, which can impact the accuracy of measurements and increase maintenance costs. The Syrenna WaterDrone can avoid high seas and extreme weather, which also simplifies its mechanical design. The project's objective is to validate the technology, increase its technology readiness level, and work on commercializing it with potential customers while protecting its intellectual property. The Syrenna WaterDrone's success could lead to a significant shift in how ocean measurements are acquired, making it easier and more efficient to collect crucial data that can help us understand the ocean's role in climate change, marine biodiversity, and other key areas of research.

Funding scheme:

FORNY20-FORNY2020