Summary
- Profile Type
- Technology offer
- POD Reference
- TOES20250514011
- Term of Validity
- 14 May 2025 - 14 May 2026
- Company's Country
- Spain
- Type of partnership
- Research and development cooperation agreement
- Commercial agreement with technical assistance
- Targeted Countries
- All countries
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General information
- Short Summary
- A Spanish SME specialized in environmental monitoring has developed an oceanographic tool to deploy and retrieve ocean landers with more accuracy and control than previously done with acoustic releasers.They are looking for entities or projects with access to vessels with dynamic positioning,acoustic positioning systems and electromechanical/fiber towed winch cables to explore the possibility of integrating the tool in their infrastructures under a commercial or research cooperation agreement.
- Full Description
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The Spanish technology-based company is specialized in the design, development, and integration of advanced oceanographic and environmental monitoring platforms. The company’s expertise spans floating, terrestrial, and submerged platforms, including the fabrication of remotely operated vehicles (ROVs) and systems for underwater exploration, with a strong track record of collaboration with leading research institutions and marine organizations.
The SME has developed an innovative oceanographic tool designed for the controlled deployment and retrieval of lightweight benthic landers on the seafloor. Unlike traditional systems that rely on built-in, often more expensive, recovery mechanisms, this solution utilizes a simple yet robust capture mesh structure, significantly reducing operational costs while ensuring reliable hitching and recovery of scientific payloads.
The system is based on a Remotely Operated Towed Vehicle (ROTV) architecture, equipped with real-time visual feedback and precision mechanical release mechanisms. This configuration enables the accurate placement and recovery of landers as payloads, even in challenging deep-sea conditions. The vehicle leverages the dynamic positioning systems of modern research vessels, underwater acoustic positioning, and winch capabilities to approach target sites. Final precision maneuvers are achieved through the tool’s own thrusters and actuators, guided by inertial navigation data and high-resolution (4K) video feeds, ensuring safe and efficient operations on the seabed.
Development Context and Applications: Developed in response to the growing need for near-seafloor environmental monitoring, the tool has demonstrated its capabilities in real-world missions, such as the successful retrieval of 17 landers from continental shelf and slope environments (50m–1000m depth) as part of the LanderFleet project. These operations have validated the system’s reliability and cost-effectiveness, providing critical data for the study of shelf-slope dynamics and supporting marine science, ecosystem monitoring, and disaster impact assessment.
Potential applications include:
- Long-term oceanographic observation and sensor deployment.
- Environmental impact studies and marine ecosystem monitoring.
- Support for scientific research projects requiring repeated or precise instrument placement and recovery.
- Civil protection and disaster response in aquatic environments.
Innovation and Competitive Advantages:
- Cost-effective design, eliminating the need for expensive built-in recovery devices.
- Enhanced operational safety and reliability, proven in demanding field conditions.
- Real-time, high-definition visual feedback for precise underwater operations.
- Compatibility with existing vessel infrastructure and dynamic positioning systems.
- Scalable and adaptable platform suitable for a wide range of oceanographic missions.
Partnerships and Collaboration: The company seeks to partner with:
- Research institutions and universities engaged in marine science and environmental monitoring
- Marine technology integrators and service providers
- Organizations involved in ocean observation networks and environmental protection
The company offers its expertise and technology to partners aiming to enhance their marine operations with innovative, reliable, and cost-effective solutions mainly under a commercial agreement with technical assistance or R&D cooperation agreement. The company is also open to a variety of collaboration models, including joint development projects or technology licensing. - Advantages and Innovations
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The tool represents a breakthrough in oceanographic lander deployment and retrieval, offering significant technological and economic advantages over conventional methods. Unlike traditional acoustic releasers, which often result in uncontrolled drops, uncertain landing sites, and the risk of equipment loss or battery failure, the system employs a cost-effective, compact remotely operated towed vehicle (ROTV) for precise, real-time controlled placement and recovery of landers on the seafloor. This approach eliminates the need for leaving ballast behind, thus reducing environmental footprint and operational costs.
Key innovations include visual-assisted navigation with high-definition cameras, spotlights, and small thrusters, enabling sub-meter accuracy in both deployment and retrieval-even at depths up to 6,000 meters. The system’s mechanical release and grapnel hook, combined with specially designed “cobweb” structures on the landers, ensure reliable hitching and recovery, minimizing the risk of loss and allowing for repeated use of the same lander units. The tool’s design supports a wide range of sensors, expanding its application to long-term, high-resolution monitoring of underwater phenomena.
Economically, the tool dramatically reduces costs by removing the need for expensive remotely operated vehicles (ROVs) and simplifying lander design-allowing operation from standard research vessels with minimal crew training. The reduced complexity and size of the landers enable the deployment of larger observation networks, increasing spatial coverage and data yield without proportional increases in expenditure. This scalability supports the expansion of sustained seafloor monitoring, making advanced ocean observation accessible to more research programs and regions. - Technical Specification or Expertise Sought
- The company is looking for partners working on oceanography, marine technologists, offshore infrastructure, ocean seismology, submarine observation
- Stage of Development
- Already on the market
- Sustainable Development Goals
- Goal 14: Life Below Water
- Goal 6: Clean Water and Sanitation
- IPR status
- Secret know-how
Partner Sought
- Expected Role of a Partner
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- Deploy and retrieve desired sensors.
- Analyze submarine sensor data.
- Integrate tool on vessels. - Type and Size of Partner
- SME 50 - 249
- SME 11-49
- Big company
- R&D Institution
- SME <=10
- University
- Type of partnership
- Research and development cooperation agreement
- Commercial agreement with technical assistance
Dissemination
- Technology keywords
- 09003 - Electronic measurement systems
- 10004009 - Marine Environment
- 10002010 - Remote sensing technology
- 07003003 - Marine Science
- 09001009 - Sensor Technology related to measurements
- Market keywords
- 08002002 - Industrial measurement and sensing equipment
- 05008001 - Marine products
- 05009002 - Fish health
- 09003001 - Engineering services
- 06003004 - Marine energy
- Sector Groups Involved
- Renewable Energy
- Maritime Industries and Services
- Targeted countries
- All countries
