As the summer progresses, diving activities such as scuba and freediving increase.
Such sports have an inherent element of risk associated with them, deriving from dangers that a diver can face underwater. Such risks include black-out or threats created by boats not respecting the safety distance from the buoy.
Safety at sea is an important and sensitive topic. In this context project Buoy Eau Air (BEA) investigates the use of a multi-drone system operating in the air, on the surface of the sea and under water, to enhance safety.
The system creates a geo-fence around the diver and monitors the area within it. BEA follows the diver keeping him aware of hazardous situations, for example boats getting too close to the surfacing site or changes to weather conditions. This additional information allows the diver to assess the risks around him.
Throughout the last year, the BEA team has been actively developing the surface platform while testing various scenarios for the ROV and UAV.
The team is now focused on developing the various sub-systems and developing communication between the three platforms, and the ability to relay messages to the diver. BEA is a two year and a half research collaboration between the Institute of Aerospace Technologies and Divers Code Malta. The project is led by Dr Robert Camilleri with the participation of Dr Jason Gauci.
BEA (R&I-2018-005-T) is a EUR 195,000 project financed by the Malta Council for Science & Technology, for and on behalf of the Foundation for Science and Technology, through the FUSION: R&I Technology Development Programme.
