The fundamental objective of this exercise was test robotic equipment, mainly related to project ICARUS. In this context, several experiments were performed with the ASV ROAZ II (using thermal and visible cameras to detect castaways in the water) and a robotic system to carry a life raft. In addition to these tests, the vessel ROAZ II was also tested using different types of sonar and other sensors, including radar and laser mapping system.

Other vehicles were used, in particular the sailboat FAST and an underwater glider, the latter in joint experiments with the team of the Algarveas part of project COGNAT in the area of ​ acoustic signal transmission and recording.  Tests were also made with autonomous surface vehicles either carrying sonar equipment or to automatically locate acoustic sources. Finally an unmanned aerial vehicle was also tested.

Another goal with this trip to Sesimbra was to evaluate the performance of the JANUS technology, used for land-sea communications in a search and rescue scenario. The aim with these demonstrations was also to design new wireless solutions for the maritime environment and search and rescue scenarios, based on the problems and challenges identified in the tests; publish scientific papers in order to disseminate experimental results obtained, and increase collaboration with the Portuguese Navy through new scientific projects involving the area of ​​maritime communications.

The JANUS technology, similarly to the land-sea communications scenario tested with the Propeixe boats of project Mare-Fi, has three main advantages: besides allowing long-range Wi-Fi maritime communications (up to five nautical miles), each communication node works as a repeater for other JANUS nodes, thus further increasing its reach. Finally, the technology is based on low cost hardware.

With the participation of three INESC TEC units - Telecommunications and Multimedia (UTM), Robotics and Intelligent Systems (ROBIS) and Information Systems and Computer Graphics (USIG), these tests continue bringing these units together to develop new applications for national and international projects and new tests in search and rescue scenarios. These tests are part of the European project ICARUS – with the direct participation of ROBIS and USIG, with the Portuguese Navy as a partner - and project Mare-Fi by UTM.

Photo Credits – Portuguese Navy (www.marinha.pt)

BIP, July 2013