EU-CONEXUS researchers collaborated for developing a marine drone

Last week colleagues from Catholic University of Valencia (UCV) visited the South East Technological University (SETU) campus in Waterford to collaborate together in a research project for developing a marine drone which aims to monitor marine species.

In the framework of the Research For Society project of EU-CONEXUS, professors Jose Tena and Rafael García – leading experts in endangered marine species in the Mediterranean area – have collaborated with Jason Berry and the research project group in the SETU, Engineering Technology, Applied Robotics Lab. 

This exciting collaboration is carrying out applied research with an Unmanned Surface Vessel (USV) to complete an autonomous mission, whereby the USV navigates to pre-programmed GPS locations along the coast in Valencia and then automatically deploys it sensor array, before returning safely to base. 

A team of student researchers from SETU will travel to IMEDMAR-UCV this Summer to complete sea trials with the drone boat. 

Moreover, Marta Taléns, Institutional Coordinator for EU-CONEXUS-RFS, visited the Research Support Department in the frame of a job shadowing to learn more about the best practices at SETU. Likewise she had the opportunity to meet in person the representative of SETU in the Work Package of Human Resources. Eimear Fitzpatrick, Human Resources Business Partner, explained in detail which initiatives are carried out at SETU to develop researchers’ career as well as attract and retain talents.