Abstract
Solar energy will contribute to global economic growth, increasing worldwide photovoltaic (PV) solar energy production. More recently, one of the outstanding energy achievements of the last decade has been the development of floating photovoltaic panels. These panels differ from conventional (ter-restrial) panels because they occupy space in a more environmen-tally friendly way, i.e., aquatic areas. In contrast, land areas are saved for other applications, such as construction or agriculture. Developing autonomous inspection systems using unmanned aerial vehicles (UAV s) represents a significant step forward in solar PV technology. Given the frequently remote and difficult-to-access locations, traditional inspection methods are no longer practical or suitable. Responding to these challenges, an in-novative inspection framework was developed to autonomously inspect photovoltaic plants (offshore) with a Vertical Takeoff and Landing (VTOL) UAV. This work explores two different methods of autonomous aerial inspection, each adapted to specific scenarios, thus increasing the adaptability of the inspection process. During the flight, the aerial images are evaluated in real-time for the autonomous detection of the photovoltaic modules and the detection of possible faults. This mechanism is crucial for making decisions and taking immediate corrective action. An offshore simulation environment was developed to validate the implemented system.

Abstract
We present a pilot study where spectral unmixing is applied to hyperspectral images captured in a controlled environment with a threefold purpose in mind: validation of our experimental setup, of the data processing pipeline, and of the usage of spectral unmixing algorithms for the aforementioned research avenue. Results from this study show that classical techniques such as VCA and FCLS can be used to distinguish between plastic and nonplastic materials, but struggle significantly to distinguish between spectrally similar plastics, even in the presence of multiple pure pixels. © 2024 IEEE.

Abstract
The eDNA autonomous biosampler results from a line of research aimed at developing systems for sampling and collecting marine biological data, and for collecting environmen-tal DNA. Environmental DNA is a tool that has been increasingly used in the biological monitoring of aquatic environments, as it is a non-invasive method with very promising results when it comes to assessing biological diversity. In this sense, the automation of this method has the potential to greatly increase the temporal and spatial resolution of current biological monitoring programs in aquatic environments. The system has been developed in a partnership between research teams at the Centre for Robotics and Autonomous Systems (CRAS - INESC TEC) and CIIMAR and has been tested in multiple operational scenarios, including the Arctic, where it was attached to the AUV IRIS. © 2024 IEEE.

Abstract
The Czech Republic is home to the Hranice Abyss, the world's deepest natural underwater cave, a site extensively explored by a dedicated team of divers from a speleology group. Over the years, numerous studies have been conducted to unravel the cave's mysteries, delving into fields such as biology, hydrogeology, and geology. Mapping a cave of such vast dimensions and staggering depth poses formidable challenges, making the task hazardous, demanding, and timeintensive for a limited team of divers. In July 2022, the UNEXUP project was invited to explore and map the cave with its robot (UXl-neo), which contains many acoustic and optical sensors, used for navigation, localization, and mapping. Its unique control and dynamics allow the robot to successfully navigate through caves and flooded mines. This paper delves into the specifics of the six days of mission dives, offering insights into the mapping process, and presenting some of the results obtained from the entire cave. © 2024 IEEE.