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BRIDGES · Project

Autonomous Underwater Gliders That Monitor Deep Oceans for Industry and Regulators

environmentTestedTRL 6
bridges-h2020.eu

Imagine a torpedo-shaped underwater drone that can cruise the ocean on its own for weeks, diving down to 5000 meters — deeper than most submersibles can go. BRIDGES took Europe's only underwater glider, the SeaExplorer, and gave it modular sensor packages so it can be customized for different jobs: checking water quality, surveying seabeds before drilling, or monitoring environmental impact around mining sites. Think of it as swapping lenses on a camera, but for ocean science. Two sea-qualified prototypes were built and tested in real ocean conditions.

By the numbers
5000 m
Maximum operating depth of Ultra Deep Explorer prototype
EUR 7,791,810
Total EU funding for glider development
20
Consortium partners across research and industry
9
Countries represented in the consortium
8
Industry partners involved in development
5
SMEs in the consortium
22
Total project deliverables produced
The business problem

What needed solving

Companies operating in deep-sea environments — oil and gas, seabed mining, offshore wind — face massive costs for environmental monitoring and compliance. Crewed research vessels are expensive, weather-dependent, and limited in how long they can stay on station. Regulators increasingly demand continuous, long-term environmental data that traditional survey methods simply cannot deliver affordably.

The solution

What was built

Two sea-qualified autonomous underwater glider prototypes: the D Explorer and the Ultra Deep Explorer (rated to 5000 m depth). Both feature a modular sensor architecture with standardized interfaces, plus fleet control systems for coordinating multiple gliders on long-duration missions.

Audience

Who needs this

Offshore oil and gas operators needing continuous environmental monitoring around drilling platformsDeep-sea mining companies required to prove environmental compliance before and during extractionMarine environmental consultancies delivering Marine Strategy Framework Directive assessmentsOffshore wind farm developers conducting pre-construction and operational seabed surveysNaval and maritime security agencies needing persistent underwater surveillance capability
Business applications

Who can put this to work

Oil and Gas
enterprise
Target: Offshore exploration and production companies

If you are an offshore oil and gas operator dealing with expensive environmental impact assessments and seabed surveys — this project developed an autonomous glider that can operate down to 5000 meters depth with modular sensor payloads. Instead of deploying crewed research vessels at high daily rates, a fleet of these gliders can continuously monitor water columns and seabed conditions around your installations at a fraction of the cost.

Deep-Sea Mining
enterprise
Target: Seabed mineral exploration companies

If you are a deep-sea mining company needing to prove environmental compliance before and during extraction operations — this project built a re-locatable, autonomous ocean glider tested at sea with sensors specifically designed for mining industry monitoring. The 20-partner consortium included 8 industry players who helped define exactly what data regulators will demand from your operations.

Marine Environmental Services
SME
Target: Environmental monitoring and compliance consultancies

If you are an environmental consultancy responsible for Marine Strategy Framework Directive assessments — this project created a cost-effective, easily-deployed glider platform with standardized sensor interfaces. With 9 countries and 5 SMEs involved in development, the technology was designed from the start to be commercially viable for service providers, not just research labs.

Frequently asked

Quick answers

What would it cost to use this glider technology for our monitoring needs?

The project was funded with EUR 7,791,810 across 20 partners, indicating significant R&D investment in making the glider commercially viable. Specific unit pricing is not published in the project data, but the stated design goal was a 'cost-effective' and 'easily-deployed' platform compared to crewed research vessels. Contact the coordinator for current pricing models.

Can this scale to cover large ocean areas or multiple sites?

Yes — the project specifically developed control systems for both single and networked operations, meaning multiple gliders can work together across large areas. The gliders were designed for 'long-term in-situ exploration at large spatio-temporal scales,' and the architecture supports mission planning and communications for fleet coordination.

What is the IP situation — can we license or buy this technology?

The core platform is SeaExplorer, Europe's only underwater glider, which was enhanced and modularized during this project. The consortium of 20 partners across 9 countries includes both the platform manufacturer and sensor developers. IP arrangements would need to be discussed with the coordinator, ARMINES (France).

Has this actually been tested in the real ocean, not just a lab?

Yes. Two prototypes were built and qualified at sea: the D Explorer (standard depth) and the UD Explorer (ultra-deep, up to 5000 meters). Both include test reports from ocean trials. This is hardware that went into the water and came back with data.

Does this meet regulatory requirements for marine monitoring?

The project explicitly targeted compliance with the Marine Strategy Framework Directive, which is the EU's main regulation for marine environmental protection. The sensor modules were designed around what regulators actually require for ecosystem-based management assessments.

How hard is it to integrate new sensors into the platform?

The project developed common interfaces and standards specifically for sensor integration into the glider's science bay. The modular payload architecture means you can swap sensor packages depending on your mission — environmental monitoring, oil and gas surveys, or mining impact assessments — without redesigning the glider.

Consortium

Who built it

The BRIDGES consortium is unusually industry-heavy for a research project: 8 out of 20 partners (40%) come from industry, and 5 are SMEs. This signals technology that was built with commercial use in mind from day one, not an academic exercise. The 9-country spread across Europe, Israel, and Norway means the technology was tested against diverse ocean conditions and regulatory environments. The coordinator, ARMINES in France, is a well-established applied research organization that bridges academia and industry. For a business buyer, this consortium composition means the technology has already been shaped by people who understand real operational requirements, not just laboratory ideals.

How to reach the team

ARMINES (Association pour la Recherche et le Développement des Méthodes et Processus Industriels), France — use SciTransfer's coordinator lookup to find the project lead's direct contact

Order a report on this consortiumSee ASSOCIATION POUR LA RECHERCHE ET LE DEVELOPPEMENT DES METHODES ET PROCESSUS INDUSTRIELS profile →
Next steps

Talk to the team behind this work.

Want an introduction to the BRIDGES team or a detailed technology brief? SciTransfer can connect you directly with the right person in the consortium for your specific use case.

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