EcoMonitoring: innovation and sustainability for environmental monitoring
In March 2024, NeMeA, in collaboration with partners AISMA and HEDYA, and contributors from Link University of Rome, the Department of Electrical and Electronic Engineering at the University of Cagliari, and ONTM (National Observatory for the Protection of the Sea), officially launched the EcoMonitoring project, winners of the Cascade Call funded by Spoke 5 as part of the Spoke 3 themes of the RAISE project.
EcoMonitoring received positive evaluations thanks to its ability to address strategic challenges in the fields of artificial intelligence and robotics and tackles three specific challenges:
– AI solutions for environmental monitoring;
– Development of satellite and machine learning technologies to forecast extreme weather events and monitor riverbeds;
– Implementation of an EDGE computing network for the collection and distribution of data from complex environmental scenarios.
EcoMonitoring introduces a revolutionary system for monitoring marine, coastal, and lake environments. Data collection is entrusted to various sources, including RADAR/SAR satellite images from the COSMO Second Generation constellation of the Italian Space Agency, smart buoys, and autonomous electric-powered USV (Unmanned Surface Vessel) drones. This data is analyzed through deep learning algorithms and EDGE computing techniques, generating real-time alerts to prevent environmental threats.
The collected information is stored in a Data Lake, accessible through dashboards and geoportals for in-depth analysis and real-time visualization. This integrated approach allows for:
– Protecting marine and lake environments while promoting sustainability.
– Integrating diverse data sources to provide a comprehensive view of ecosystems.
– Developing autonomous technologies for data acquisition and transmission, ensuring near real-time communication via LoRa, 4G, and 5G networks.
The project is currently in a critical development phase. Prototypes of the USV HYDRA drones and the MoBI smart buoys are operational, though awaiting further optimizations. Field tests are imminent, with initial data already uploaded to the Data Lake platform, ready for preliminary analysis.
Emanuele Giorgi, Project Manager for the EcoMonitoring project, on EcoMonitoring and the RAISE ecosystem: “Participating in the RAISE innovation ecosystem is a crucial opportunity for NeMeA. With EcoMonitoring, we aim to develop advanced environmental monitoring technologies capable of providing accurate, validated real-time data and generating timely alerts to prevent critical situations. Thanks to the integration of predictive artificial intelligence and autonomous monitoring systems, the project contributes to protecting marine, lake, and coastal ecosystems, reducing negative environmental impact, and improving the management of natural resources and infrastructure. Moreover, EcoMonitoring aims to transform these innovations into cutting-edge environmental monitoring services with significant economic and social benefits. RAISE, with its collaborative environment among research, industry, and institutions, offers us the opportunity to accelerate this process, bringing concrete solutions for a more sustainable and secure future. We are convinced that our technological contribution can make a difference and create value both nationally and internationally”.
