A live demonstration at sea of swarms of Autonomous Underwater Vehicles (AUVs) took place on the 25th of February at Ayia Napa Marina showcasing the potential of a world-leading technology of resident, fully autonomous resident underwater systems that will assist competent authorities and organisations in the restoration and protection of marine protected areas.
The event, organised by the Cyprus Marine and Maritime Institute (CMMI), SignalGeneriX and French companies Arkeocean and Lanego, with the support of the Embassy of France in Cyprus, brought together many stakeholders from the shipping, environment, energy and defense sectors, including police officials and civil servants from various ministries.
The opening ceremony was addressed by Deputy Permanent Secretary of the Directorate-General for the Environment of the Ministry of Agriculture, Rural Development and Environment, Mrs. Eliana Tofa Christidou, the French Ambassador in Cyprus, H.E. Mrs. Clélia Chevrier Kolačko, followed by speeches from representatives of Arkeocean, CMMI, Lanego and SignalGeneriX. After the live demonstration at sea of Arkeocean’s current AUVs swarm system, a press conference took place where the design of the EONIOS Swarm System was unveiled, marking a key milestone in the advancement of the project and its potential in the long-term.
An exhibition space was also set up at the same venue, showcasing important research infrastructure and innovative technologies developed by EONIOS consortium members.
A few words about EONIOS
The aim of the project is to develop the world’s first resident, fully autonomous solution called ‘EONIOS’, a micro-AUV swarm system with AUV docking stations integrated in nature-based artificial reefs to explore, monitor, protect and regenerate biodiversity in designated underwater areas including marine ecosystems.
‘EONIOS’, that is foreseen to be ready and functional by the end of 2025, is the outcome of a Franco-Cypriot cooperation in Marine and Maritime Research and Innovation following the signature of a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) and of a research and development agreement last year between the Cyprus Marine and Maritime Institute (CMMI), SignalGeneriX Ltd and French companies Arkeocean and Lanego, aiming at the development of new innovative products. The event, that was under the auspices of the French Embassy in Cyprus, reaffirms the joint commitment of France and Cyprus in strengthening their bilateral relations and in facilitating research exchanges and collaboration in marine and maritime science and technology.
