A swarm of autonomous underwater vehicles (AUVs) will be used to monitor artificial reefs off the coast of Cyprus.
Equipped with sensors and high-definition cameras, the AUVs will feed data from the reefs to scientists in the EONIOS project.
The project, launched in June 2024, brings together French AUV developer Arkeocean, the Cyprus Marine and Maritime Institute (CMMI), Cypriot tech firm SignalGeneriX and French consulting company Lanego.
This R&D partnership aims to develop a micro-AUV swarm system with docking stations embedded into nature-based artificial reefs.
The reefs have been designed and built by CMMI with 3D printing techniques using an eco cement mixture.
The aim of the reefs is to help restore marine habitats because high sea surface temperatures have killed off many coral reefs, specifically the cushion coral that is endemic to the Mediterranean.
According to Associated Press, CMMI plans to place the reefs in waters off Limassol at a depth of around 20 metres, where...