French-Cypriot partnership unveils compact AUVs designed for reef monitoring

A partnership formed by French unmanned systems manufacturer Arkeocean and the Cyprus Marine and Maritime Institute recently unveiled a new type of compact autonomous underwater vehicle (AUV) to perform environmental monitoring in reefs.

The unmanned craft are being developed as part of the EONIOS project, which calls for swarms of coordinated AUVs capable of executing complex missions.

The AUVs may also be employed to operate in the offshore energy and maritime security sectors. The craft's compact size allows it to operate undetected, while the long loiter time means it can perform monitoring in denied waters for extended periods.

Each AUV will have a dedicated docking station for charging of its batteries. A full charge of the batteries will enable the craft to operate continuously for up to 30 days without human intervention.

The AUVs are undergoing additional tests at Cyprus' Ayia Napa marina. The first actual deployment will be off Limassol, where an artificial reef is also located.