Buoy Eau Air (BEA) – A multi-drone system to mitigate risks at sea.
Safety at sea has always been a sensitive topic with a big impact on the Tourism sector and the ability of tackling and mitigating the potential risks can be a game changer with a big impact in the field.
Project BEA proposes a multi-drone system to enhance divers’ safety at sea. The system consists of an ROV, a floating platform and a UAV. While the ROV follows the diver emulating the “buddy philosophy”, the floating platform acts also as a resting platform hosting critical support and first aid kit. It also acts as the communication link between the underwater ROV and the hovering drone. On the other hand, the drone detects boat. The multi-drone system aims to work in synergy, relaying information to each other and to the diver.
A dissemination and public engagement event was held last week at the Chaplain’s Hall at Esplora Interactive Science Centre, Kalkara, to promote this innovative research and celebrate the work and results accomplished by the researchers involved. Following an overview of the project by Dr Robert Camilleri, technical presentations were delivered by the team of project researchers: Dr Leonardo Barilaro, Mr Marlon Galea, Mr David Vella and Mr Andrea Filippozzi. Through their presentations, the team showed how BEA mitigates the risks involved in diving by introducing technology assistance, providing reassurance and situation awareness to the diver. This will contribute towards maintaining the safety track record of the local industry while offering a novelty which enhances the diving experience. A panel discussion was also held. This was by Dr Robert Camilleri, and included Dr Jason Gauci, Senior lecturer within the Institute of Aerospace Technology, Dr Analiza Abdilla, UAS Inspector within TM CAD, Mr Andrea Filippozzi, Owner of Diver’s Code and Mr Nicky Borg, Owner of Marine Hound. The discussion focused on technical and legislative advancements in the field of drones as well as their various applications.
The public engagement event was attended and addressed by Hon. Keith Azzopardi Tanti, Parliamentary Secretary for Youth, Research and Innovation and Dr Tonio Portughese, Chairman, Malta Council for Science and Technology.
Project BEA is a collaboration between the Institute of Aerospace Technologies at the Universtiy of Malta, and industrial partner Divers Code Malta. BEA is financed by the , for and on behalf of the Foundation for Science and Technology, through the FUSION: R&I Technology Development Programme.
