Imagine a high-tech security fence, but for the bottom of the ocean. It uses a mix of underwater microphones, magnets, and robotic drones to spot intruders or dangerous packages before they reach a ship. It's like having a 24/7 security guard that can see and hear everything happening beneath the waves.
Ports and ships are vulnerable to underwater threats like divers, UUVs, and hidden explosives that are difficult to detect with standard surface radar. This creates a security gap in the transportation of goods and the safety of coastal infrastructure.
An integrated prototype system featuring EM wave transceivers, magnetic sensor grids, underwater loudhailers, AI visual sensors, and a fleet of robotic assets (LAUV, ASV, ROVs).
If you are a Port Authority dealing with the risk of illegal divers or hidden explosives at docking places — this project developed a multimodal sensor grid and robotic assets that provide 24/7 surveillance to prevent security incidents.
If you are a shipping company dealing with the threat of illicit materials attached to ship hulls — this project developed an automated visual sensing module with AI that detects and identifies anomalies on the hull.
If you are a Coast Guard dealing with suspicious underwater vehicles or towed objects — this project developed the HERCULES system and magnetic sensors for early warning and prioritized inspections.
Based on available project data, specific pricing or implementation costs are not provided.
The project is developing a prototype system to be tested in real-life operational environments, suggesting it is moving toward industrial scale but is not yet a mass-market product.
Based on available project data, there is no specific information regarding IP rights or licensing agreements.
The system uses a layers-based approach for data management and exploitation to support decision-making and formal reporting for port authorities.
The project period runs from 2023-10-01 to 2026-09-30.
The consortium is heavily weighted toward practical application, with 41% industry participation (9 companies, including 6 SMEs). With 22 partners across 11 countries, the project combines academic research (3 universities, 5 research centers) with direct end-user input from Coast Guards and Port Authorities, ensuring the technical outputs meet operational needs.
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