INESC TEC inaugurates platform to support research, development and testing of maritime technologies

16th March 2023

A pioneer at European level, TEC4SEA is an infrastructure dedicated to the research, development, testing and validation of marine technologies. It operates mainly in the areas of marine robotics (autonomous and non-autonomous vehicles), communications systems and advanced sensing, and underwater acoustics.

"As a research infrastructure that is part of the National Roadmap of Research Infrastructures of Strategic Interest, TEC4SEA mission is also to support the scientific community and the industrial national and European ecosystems, concerning the development of technology for monitoring and operations in maritime environments - thus supporting the sustainable development of the Blue Economy, regarding living and non-living resources", explained Paulo Mónica, researcher at INESC TEC.

TEC4SEA ended the initial implementation phase in December 2022, and is now beginning its operational phase. In addition to the presentation of this endeavour, the inauguration will feature a visit to two of the main resources developed during the implementation phase: the Ponto de Apoio, located in the Port of Leixões, which includes a laboratory and a small workroom, and the research vessel Mar Profundo, currently moored in the Marina of Leça da Palmeira.

According to the researcher, the Ponto de Apoio at the Port of Leixões "will allow greater fluidity and effectiveness in the development, testing and validation activities of marine technologies and equipment, since it creates the conditions that research teams need to work close to the shore, with significant efficiency gains". As to the Mar Profundo research vessel "it advances the TEC4SEA capability to autonomously access the sea, implementing the systems and equipment developed in the locations and operating conditions for which they were designed - a vital aspect for an infrastructure like TEC4SEA, according to its mission and goals", stated Paulo Monica.

During the event, the attendees will be able to observe some of the underwater robotic equipment and systems developed by INESC TEC, i.e., the deep-water underwater robotic platform TURTLE and the robot EVA, an autonomous underwater vehicle.

The TEC4SEA kick-off event will take place on Friday, March 17, at 2:30 pm, at the Port of Leixões. The event will welcome Elvira Fortunato, Minister of Science, Technology and Higher Education, José Maria Costa, Secretary of State for Maritime Affairs, José Manuel Mendonça, Chairman of the Board of Directors of INESC TEC and Luís Seca, member of the Executive Board at INESC TEC.

This research infrastructure was founded by INESC TEC and the Algarve Centre of Technology Research (CINTAL).