Project Accepted: DUVOPS - Unmanned Vehicles for Ocean Preservation

A new national initiative is set to revolutionize ocean preservation by harnessing the power of unmanned vehicles and cutting-edge digital technologies.

The project is led by Professor António Pereira, Principal Investigator from CIIC - Computer Science and Communication Research Centre and Principal Coordinating Professor at ESTG - Polytechnic Institute of Leiria. It is developed in collaboration with key partners, including INESC TEC - Institute for Systems and Computer Engineering, Technology and Science, and CINAV - Portuguese Navy Research Centre, ensuring a multidisciplinary and impactful approach.

The DUVOPS – Digital Twins Heterogeneous Unmanned Vehicles Ocean Preservation System project has been approved in February of 2025. It follows the work initiated by the DBoids (Digital twin Boids fire prevention System) project, which was funded in 2021 and is still ongoing. Leveraging the advancements and results achieved in that project, DUVOPS continues and expands this research, enhancing its impact. DUVOPS is supported by the European Regional Development Fund (FEDER) and it falls under the category of Scientific Research and Technological Development (Projetos de Investigação Científica e Desenvolvimento Tecnológico - IC&DT), focusing on research activities across all scientific domains and achieving international recognition.

"The oceans are essential for the planet's balance but face increasing threats from pollution and climate change. DUVOPS integrates advanced Autonomous Systems, Artificial Intelligence (AI), Digital Twins, Internet of Unmanned Vehicles, Virtual Reality, and Augmented Reality to enhance monitoring, early detection, and response efforts."

Beyond its contribution to ocean conservation, DUVOPS represents a major advancement in technological and scientific knowledge, particularly in autonomous systems and artificial intelligence. This project strengthens Portugal’s position as a leader in technological innovation for defence and maritime security, equipping the country with advanced capabilities for monitoring and protecting its vast maritime territory.

DUVOPS collaborates with strategic defence and maritime security entities, including the Portuguese Hydrographic Institute, the Maritime Operational Experimentation Centre (CEOM), and the Portuguese Maritime Authority. The Free Tech Zone 'Prince Henry The Navigator' in Tróia, has been selected as the project’s test site, providing a real-world environment for the validation of innovative technologies.

With a funding investment of €249,868.80, DUVOPS aims to develop a functional prototype, combining AI, Digital Twins, and autonomous fleets to enable a more effictive and strategic ocean monitoring and intervention.

For more information, please visit the project’s webpage.