Underwater environmental monitoring with autonomous robots integrated into the port’s digital twin

Project leaders

The project is led by the Hamburg Port Authority (HPA), in collaboration with bbe Moldaenke, BUKEA (a leader in environmental technology manufacturing), and the University of Lübeck. The initiative is funded by the German Federal Ministry of Research, Technology and Space with approximately €1 million.

Project description

SIMON (Smarter Water Protection Inspired by 4-Dimensional Underwater Monitoring) is a 24-month research project focused on the development and testing of autonomous underwater vehicles (AUVs) for continuous environmental monitoring in the Elbe River, within the Port of Hamburg area.

These underwater robots are equipped with advanced sensors capable of measuring various environmental parameters, such as suspended solids, oxygen levels, algae composition, and traces of oil residues, with the aim of detecting changes in water quality and identifying potential sources of pollution.

The data collected by the AUVs is directly integrated into the Port of Hamburg’s digital twin, enabling real-time visualization of the aquatic environment and supporting more informed decision-making in port environmental management. This approach combines physical monitoring with digital tools to enhance continuous tracking of aquatic ecosystems.

At the same time, the project is also working on the development of autonomous underwater navigation systems, a key aspect to ensure the operation of robots in complex port environments and to advance future applications of this technology.

Project objectives

The objective is to validate the use of autonomous underwater robotics integrated into the digital twin to improve continuous environmental monitoring, facilitate pollution detection, and strengthen sustainable water quality management in port environments.