News

INESC TEC develops solution for broadband communications for remote areas in the ocean

In October 2015, INESC TEC’s Centre for Telecommunications and Multimedia (CTM) started working on project BLUECOM+, whose goal is to connect humans and systems in remote locations of the ocean using broadband and low-cost communications. The project, led by INESC TEC and coordinated by the researcher Rui Campos, includes the Instituto Português do Mar e da Atmosfera (IPMA, the Portuguese Sea and Atmosphere Institute), and MARLO AS (Norway) as partners.

INESC TEC develops underwater docking station for underwater robots

In October 2015, two teams from INESC TEC’s Centres for Telecommunications and Multimedia (CTM) and Robotics and Intelligent Systems (CROB) have started working on project ENDURE, led by INESC TEC (project leader). The goal with this project is to develop an underwater docking station for autonomous underwater vehicles (AUVs). The station will allow these vehicles to remain in the ocean for long periods of time.

Porto engineering wins international robotics competition in Italy

A team of INESC TEC researchers and students from the Porto School of Engineering (ISEP) won the Eurathlon Grand Challenge in Piombino, Italy, an international competition of robots used for search and rescue operations, which took place between 17 and 25 September.

INESC TEC participates in final demonstration of project CARloS

Between 25 and 27 August, INESC TEC participated in the final demonstration of European project CARloS - CooperAtive Robot for Large Spaces manufacturing, which took place in La Coruña, Spain. The prototype of the robot was successfully demonstrated at the facilities of the shipyards “Astilleros Jose Valiña”, the end user of the technology and one of the project’s partners.

INESC TEC researchers simulate catastrophes in Europe

A team of researchers from INESC TEC have tested the intelligence and the autonomy of their robots in catastrophe simulation scenarios. The group represented Portugal in the euRathlon, the largest robotics competition in Europe, which took place between 17 and 25 September in Piombino (Livorno, Italy).

INESC TEC develops first deep sea robotic platform made in Portugal

INESC TEC has developed the first underwater robotic platform for the deep sea which has been completely developed in Portugal, in partnership with Portuguese companies. Project TURTLE - Technologies for long-term presence in the deep sea kicked off in 2014.

Project ICARUS demonstrated in search and rescue operations

On 9 and 10 July, the robots developed as part of project ICARUS were presented at the ICARUS Sea Trials Lisbon 2015, which took place at the Base Naval de Alfeite (Naval Base of Alfeite, Portugal). INESC TEC’s Centre for Robotics and Intelligent Systems (CROB) is leading the maritime component, as a result of their experience in aquatic robotics.

INESC TEC joins SME Robotics initiative

INESC TEC’s Centre for Robotics and Intelligent Systems (CROB) is officially part of the SME Robotics Consortium, a European robotics initiative whose goal is to strengthen the competitiveness of small and medium enterprises (SMEs) in the area of manufacturing using cognitive robotics. Manufacturing is a key sector in the European Union.

INESC TEC participates in European project to explore minerals under water

INESC TEC is participating in a €12,6M H2020 project where the goal is to explore underwater mines. This will be a unique opportunity to explore Europe’s underwater mineral resources using safer and more environmentally friendly techniques.

Project CARLoS originates first prototype of mobile manipulating robot

Between 11 and 12 November, INESC TEC hosted the first integration workshop on project CARLoS (CooperAtive Robot for Large Spaces manufacturing), where the goal is to develop a mobile manipulating robot for fit-out and coating applications, or to be used inside superstructure blocks in ships.

FEUP/INESC TEC autonomous vessels win international competition

A team formed by researchers from INESC TEC’s Centre for Robotics and Intelligent Systems (CROB), and by professors and students of the Faculty of Engineering of the University of Porto (FEUP), have participated in the 7th International Robotic Sailing Conference (IRSC), which included the World Robotic Sailing Championship (WRSC), where the team won two of the most important rounds.

INESC TEC co-organises and participates in National Robotics Festival

INESC TEC participated in the IEEE International Conference on Autonomous Robot Systems and Competitions, which took place between 14 and 15 May at the Portuguese city of Espinho, during the 14th edition of the National Robotics Festival.

INESC TEC participates in European project on automotive industry

INESC TEC’s Robotics and Intelligent Systems Unit (ROBIS) is the only Portuguese partner in the European project “Sustainable and Reliable Robotics for Part Handling in Manufacturing Automation” (STAMINA), a project related to automating the process of assembly in the automotive industry.

INESC TEC researcher wins IEEE award

Bruno Ferreira, a researcher at INESC TEC’s Robotics and Intelligent Systems Unit (ROBIS), received an award in the form of a Grant from the Oceanic Engineering Society (OES) do IEEE - Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers.

INESC TEC defines robotics research lines for the European framework Horizon 2020

On 15 October, INESC TEC’s Robotics and Intelligent Systems (ROBIS) participated in the general assembly of the euRobotics AISBL, a European robotics association located in Brussels that gathers several industrial partners and research and education institutions which play a relevant role in this area at European level. This association is a privileged partner of the European Commission because it helps define R&D policies in robotics as part of the Horizon 2020 programme.

INESC TEC starts project on mobile robotics

In September, INESC TEC’s Robotics and Intelligent Systems Unit (ROBIS) kicked off European project CARLoS – CooperAtive Robot for Large Spaces manufacturing, where the goal is to develop and apply robotics in shipyards. The kick-off meeting took place on 12 and 13 September in Vigo, Spain, and was attended by representatives of all partners.

FEUP/INESC TEC robotic sailboats awarded again in international competition

A team of researchers from the Faculty of Engineering of the University of Porto (FEUP) and INESC TEC’s Robotics and Intelligent Systems Unit (ROBIS) has recently won two awards in the Robotic Sailboat World Championship, which took place between 2 and 6 September in Brest, France.

INESC TEC tests innovative technology off the coast of Sesimbra

On 4 and 5 July, researchers from three INESC TEC units travelled to the region of Sesimbra, Portugal, to test technology applied to search and rescue situations. The "Robotics EXcercise 2013" (REX 2013) was promoted by the Portuguese Navy through its Center of Naval Research (CINAV), and involved the University of Algarve.

INESC TEC takes robots to Italy

From 15 to 19 June, members of INESC TEC’s Robotics and Intelligent Systems Unit (ROBIS) travelled to NATO’s Centre for Maritime Research and Experimentation (CMRE), in La Spezia, Italy, to participate in a set of tests as part of project ICARUS (Integrated Components for Assisted Rescue and Unmanned Search operations).

INESC TEC researcher with best robotics dissertation in the country

The PhD dissertation by Miguel Pinto, a researcher at INESC TEC’s Robotics and Intelligent Systems Unit (ROBIS), was chosen by the Portuguese Robotics Society (SPR) as the best robotics dissertation in the country. Defended on 18 January 2013, the researcher’s dissertation was considered the one with the highest technical and scientific quality.