- Life & Medical Sciences
From Pasaia Ocean Autonomy (POA) AZTI operates a fleet of unmanned vehicles —gliders, Itsasdrone and Ranger— designed for remote exploration and environmental monitoring in areas that are difficult to access. These systems allow work to be carried out both on the surface and in the water column, in coastal and oceanic environments, greatly expanding marine observation capabilities with high efficiency and autonomy.
Equipment
- Gliders: Gliders are autonomous underwater vehicles approximately 3 metres in length, designed for extended missions with ultra-efficient energy consumption. They move by changing their buoyancy and using hydrodynamic wings, which allows them to travel long distances without active propulsion. Equipped with interchangeable sensors (CTD, echo sounders, biogeochemical sensors), they can operate continuously for weeks, transmitting data in real time. AZTI currently has two gliders in operation.
Main uses:
- Monitoring oceanographic parameters (temperature, salinity, oxygen, chlorophyll, etc.).
- Monitoring of fish species (anchovy, mackerel) using echo sounders, complementing fishing campaigns.
- Studying physical processes (outcrops, river plumes, seasonal dynamics).
- Biogeochemical campaigns to analyse physical-biogeochemical coupling at (sub)mesoscale levels.
- Support for coastal observatories and integrated marine observation platforms.
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Itsasdrone: The Itsasdrone is an autonomous surface marine drone (145 cm x 207 cm), powered by solar energy and with zero emissions, developed by Branka with the management and technical advice of AZTI. It is designed to operate continuously for over three months, remote controlled by radio or satellite.
Main uses:
- Measuring waves, currents, and hydrographic conditions. Scientific sampling and analysis of marine biomass.
- Surveillance of remote and hard-to-reach areas.
- Climate monitoring, air quality, solar activity and dumping.
Support for fishery and coastguard patrols
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Ranger 6.0 (USV): The Ranger 6.0 is an unmanned surface vehicle (length: 5.8 m; beam: 2.0 m), developed by Branka under the technical direction of AZTI. Designed for scientific and security missions, it features advanced sensors and offers a much higher instrument payload capacity than the Itsasdrone. It is currently equipped with three echo sounders of different frequencies and an ADCP, making it a versatile platform for oceanographic research and environmental monitoring.
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Real-time data transmission systems
- POA (Pasaia) operational infrastructure
- Autonomous oceanographic monitoring (temperature, salinity, oxygen, chlorophyll, currents, waves)
- Monitoring of fish stocks using echo sounders
- Study of physical processes (upwelling, river plumes, seasonal dynamics)
- Biogeochemical surveys at the sub-mesoscale
- Sampling and analysis of marine biomass
- Maritime surveillance and safety
- Support for coastal observatories
AZTI
Pasaia: Herrera Kaia, Portualdea z/g, 20110 Pasaia, Gipuzkoa
Environment and industrial sustainability:
- e IoT connectivity
- Digital technologies
Application sectors
- Public administration and business clusters
- Agri-food
- Capital goods
- Eco-industry
- Maritime and port infrastructure
- Offshore sector
Industry Plan
- IRABAZI · Advanced manufacturing
