AI satellites and sea-drones combine to protect Europe’s waters (19459000)
Ubotica is an Irish startup that specialises in edge AI for satellites. They have partnered with two Dutch companies to develop an intelligence platform designed to boost maritime security throughout European waters.
Ubotica will partner with Fugro, a provider offshore surveying and geodata, and DTACT a defence-focused cyber firm to offer governments a tool for monitoring critical undersea infrastructure, including subsea cable and gas pipelines.
This platform will combine real-time data collected from the sea, air and space in order to create a dynamic view of maritime activity. Fugro’s drones will scour the oceans to collect geodata. Ubotica AI satellites track vessels and flag anomalies overhead in near real time. DTACT will combine these streams on the ground into a maritime cyber-security tool. Fintan Buckley is the CEO of Ubotica and he said that this “space to seabed surveillance” can transform situational awareness on the sea.
The of EU tech
The latest rumblings on the EU tech scene
A story from our wise old founder Boris and some questionable AI artwork. Every week, it’s in your inbox for free. Sign up today!
This integrated approach, combining our insights with Fugro, DTACT and DTACT creates enhanced maritime visibility and a near-real-time response capability, which will secure critical undersea infrastructure long into the future,” he stated.
Maritime monitoring of this type has become more in demand after the 2022 Nord Stream Pipeline sabotage exposed the vulnerability underwater assets to covert attack. NATO nations are also increasing their maritime defences amid growing concerns about Russian aggression. Ivar de Josselin de Jong is the director of strategy and government relationships for Fugro’s business in maritime security and surveillance. He said that this new partnership will enable “information-driven operation” for national security efforts.
Initially, the platform will serve governmental organisations located in the North Sea region and Baltic region. These regions have become testing grounds for European maritime defense tech due to their strategic significance and relative proximity to Russia. In the region, several new systems are being tested. The Danish Armed Forces are testing autonomous surface drones in the Baltic Sea while Dutch company Optics11 tests a fibre-optic detector in the North Sea which “hears with light” to detect enemy ships.
