Spoke 3 Eng Archives - RAISE Innovation Ecosystem

Ecorobotics in complex industrial environments: integrating autonomous robots, electronic noses, and drones to enhance safety

Posted on 31 March 20261 April 2026 by admin

Spoke 3 of the RAISE project has tested advanced ecorobotics solutions for monitoring complex, fragile, and high-risk industrial environments.

One of the most significant applications was developed within the Project 2 of Spoke 3, in collaboration with the MESSAPI project, one of the winners of the cascade funding call promoted by Spoke 5.

The main objective of the experimentation was to make environmental monitoring in industrial contexts more efficient and accurate, contributing to the early detection of anomalies and the prevention of potential incidents.

In this context, ecorobotics emerges as an integrated approach combining ground-based autonomous robots, aerial drones, advanced sensing technologies, and artificial intelligence models. This effort is further supported by research activities carried out by the Department of Computer Science, Bioengineering, Robotics and Systems Engineering (DIBRIS) of the University of Genoa.

The experimentation was conducted at the IPLOM plant in Busalla, the lead partner of the MESSAPI project. Here, alongside the existing network of fixed sensors, mobile monitoring solutions based on autonomous robots and drones were introduced. These systems are capable of patrolling the infrastructure and collecting data in areas not covered by traditional sensor networks.

Among the deployed solutions, MOLIRIS, developed by Info Solution S.r.l., integrates an autonomous navigation system designed for complex industrial environments. This system enables the robot to operate even in the absence of GPS signals, maintaining localization capabilities and continuous movement despite obstacles or environmental changes.

The robot is equipped with advanced sensors for environmental monitoring and industrial safety, including:
– a thermal camera for detecting temperature anomalies;
– an electronic nose, developed within MESSAPI project (by Apphia S.r.l.), for detecting airborne substances of interest.

These technologies significantly improve monitoring activities and enhance the safety of both infrastructure and personnel.

In addition to the ground robot, aerial drones were also deployed, capable of collecting data from a complementary perspective and contributing to the creation of a digital twin of the plant. The combination of aerial surveys, photogrammetric modeling, and advanced computer vision techniques enables the generation of up-to-date and dynamic 3D representations, useful for continuous monitoring and intervention planning.

This experimentation represents a concrete example of ecorobotics applied to industrial environments, demonstrating how collaboration between research and industry can lead to the development of autonomous robotic solutions for monitoring, safety, and the management of complex infrastructures.

The activities were carried out within Product 2 of Spoke 3, involving research and industrial partners including the University of Genoa – DIBRIS, Info Solution, ETT, and ENEA, with support from the MESSAPI project.

MESSAPI includes Iplom S.p.A. (lead partner), SIGE S.r.l., PM_TEN S.r.l., and Apphia S.r.l.

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Author (video still): Marzio Cardellini (Bluframe)
Credits: RAISE

The future of agriculture: microorganisms, robotics, and data for smart vineyards

Posted on 23 March 202623 March 2026 by admin

A new episode of “Incontri con il Futuro – Storie di innovazione dall’ecosistema RAISE”, the video-podcast created in collaboration with Rinnovabili.it, is now available. The series explores experiences and key players in robotics and artificial intelligence research.

This episode has focused on a strategic area for sustainable development: precision agriculture. It has explored the Mycotech-Wine project, which integrates biotechnology, robotics, and IoT sensors to develop advanced systems for vineyard management.

The guests of the episode are Mirca Zotti, Professor at the Department of Earth, Environmental and Life Sciences at the University of Genoa, and Sandro Zappatore, Professor at DITEN – Multimedia Communications Laboratory at the same university, which is collaborating within RAISE’s Spoke 3. During the conversation, they have described how collaboration across disciplines has shaped an innovative approach to viticulture.

The Mycotech-Wine project has highlighted the role of microorganisms in soil health and plant development. Mirca Zotti has explained how the study of microbial communities has provided new insights into the balance of agricultural ecosystems. Biological analysis has made it possible to identify key factors affecting soil quality and crop resilience, supporting more sustainable agricultural practices.

Alongside the biological dimension, the episode has emphasized the contribution of digital technologies. Sandro Zappatore has described the use of IoT sensors and robotic systems for real-time data collection and processing. These tools have enabled the monitoring of environmental parameters and crop conditions, providing valuable information to support decision-making in agriculture.

The integration of biological and environmental data has been a central element of the project. Combined data analysis has supported the development of more accurate models for vineyard management, improving the efficiency of interventions and promoting a more conscious use of resources. This approach has outlined a more intelligent agricultural system, capable of adapting to climate variations and local needs.

Throughout the episode, the importance of synergy between scientific research and technological innovation has clearly emerged. The RAISE ecosystem has provided a collaborative environment where expertise from different fields has converged to develop practical solutions with a direct impact on agriculture.

This episode offers an updated vision of the future of agriculture, where microorganisms, robotics, and data work together to improve production quality and promote sustainability. It shows how innovation can support the transformation of the agricultural sector, strengthening the connection between technology and territory.

NEPTUNE BEYOND brings Underwater Data Awareness and ecorobotics into a new dimension

Posted on 17 February 202617 February 2026 by admin

MYWAI, a Ligurian start-up specialized in industrial AI and with research laboratories located in the stunning Bay of Silence in Sestri Levante, has worked together with partners Immersea, NextVision and Istituto Italiano di Saldatura (IIS) to develop the first national demonstrator of Underwater Data Awareness applied to advanced anthropogenic installations managed by the Istituto Nazionale di Geofisica e Vulcanologia (INGV), based on advanced AI techniques in underwater environments.

The demonstrator was developed in just three months thanks to NEPTUNE BEYOND, whose objective is to test the system developed within NEPTUNE on active anthropogenic installations. NEPTUNE™ is a project led by MYWAI, funded through a cascade call under Spoke 5 and affiliated with Spoke 3.

NEPTUNE™ represents a specialized evolution of the AIoT platform developed by MYWAI on proprietary patents for Underwater Data Awareness: a technology that enables centralized, real-time management of environmental and operational data from ROVs and underwater drones, transforming complex marine environments into operational intelligence.

From video streams to 5D Digital Twins
NEPTUNE builds ultra-high-fidelity digital twins by combining:
– 3D reconstructions generated through AI-based Gaussian Splatting algorithms from underwater photographic and video footage;
– 4D overlays of environmental and temporal evolutions, based on data collected from heterogeneous sensors;
– 5D semantic agents for advanced reasoning over georeferenced data.

An interdisciplinary ecorobotics based approach opens new perspectives for monitoring, analysis, and decision support in underwater contexts.

From marine biodiversity to anthropogenic infrastructures
The platform was initially validated, together with diving partners IMMERSEA and UBICA, in the protected marine areas of Portofino and Lipari, supporting:
– marine biodiversity analysis;
– reconstruction of submerged archaeological sites.

With NEPTUNE BEYOND, the evolution was natural: extending NEPTUNE’s capabilities to the monitoring of anthropogenic underwater installations, from offshore energy infrastructure to dual-use civil and defense scenarios.

Safety and prevention: the Stromboli case
The NEPTUNE BEYOND demonstrator was ultimately developed for INGV, applying NEPTUNE™ to the monitoring and maintenance of complex and high-value underwater installations dedicated to detecting risk conditions around Stromboli.

The INGV systems, installed and documented by IMMERSEA, were analyzed using the algorithms and expertise of IIS and NextVision.

Thanks to MYWAI’s NEPTUNE™ platform, the system:
– reconstructs and automatically updates digital twins from UUV video;
– analyzes images and time series of monitored installations;
– detects phenomena such as biofouling, corrosion, and structural degradation through 2D segmentation and surface color mapping.

An immersive 5D experience
Digital twins can also be explored through headsets such as Meta Quest, enabling operators and researchers to navigate 5D virtual environments based on the NEPTUNE™ Underwater Data Management platform: a new paradigm for underwater situational awareness and the application of marine ecorobotics.

For Spoke 3 of RAISE, NEPTUNE Beyond represents a concrete step toward safer, smarter, and more sustainable interaction with the underwater world, as well as a tangible example of technology transfer in the field of ecorobotics.

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Author (frame from video): Marzio Cardellini (Bluframe)
Credits: RAISE

Automated distribution of biostimulants in vineyards: ecorobotics and agronomic research within Spoke 3

Posted on 16 December 202531 March 2026 by admin

In the summer of 2025, a vineyard field trial was carried out as part of the PNRR RAISE project, with the aim of integrating autonomous robotics solutions, IoT sensor technologies, and agronomic research for precision viticulture.

The autonomous rover MOLIRIS, developed by Info Solution and made available free of charge for this agronomic experimentation, operated fully autonomously between the vine rows, distributing an innovative biostimulant in a controlled manner.

The biostimulant was developed by the Mycology Laboratory of the University of Genoa from microorganisms isolated directly from vineyard soil, with the goal of promoting plant growth and increasing resilience to pathogens and the effects of climate change. The final product has zero biological impact. The use of native microorganisms provides a natural and sustainable means of stimulating crop growth. The high microbial concentration, combined with a tailored production process, ensures maximum effectiveness for the target area.

Alongside this activity, the Multimedia Networks Laboratory of the DITEN Department at the University of Genoa designed and installed a network of sensor nodes based on the Internet of Things (IoT) paradigm, capable of monitoring environmental parameters and the chemical–physical properties of the soil in real time. The collected data provide essential support for evaluating treatment effectiveness and for correlating pedoclimatic conditions with the effects of biostimulants on grapevines.

Thanks to the autonomous navigation system developed by Info Solution, the MOLIRIS rover demonstrated its ability to operate safely between vine rows, ensuring targeted and repeatable application of the treatment.

Distribuzione automatizzata di biostimolanti in vigneto: ecorobotica e ricerca agronomica nell’ambito di Spoke 3 — Author (video frame): Marco Penco (Info Solution, Spoke 3) | Credits: UniGe and RAISE

The combination of advanced robotics, biotechnologies, and environmental sensing represents a multidisciplinary approach aligned with the mission of Spoke 3, which focuses on ecorobotics and sustainable agriculture solutions.

This experimentation represents a concrete step toward Viticulture 4.0 through ecorobotics, capable of integrating innovative technologies to improve productivity, quality, and sustainability.

Special thanks go to the Durin winery, which hosted the trial in its vineyards and made these activities possible.

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Author (video frame): Marco Penco (Info Solution, Spoke 3)
Credits: UniGe and RAISE

Sicily’s underwater treasures in the USA: technology and culture serving underwater archaeological heritage

Posted on 3 December 20253 December 2025 by admin

From the depths of the Capistello shipwreck in Lipari, in the Aeolian Islands, to museums in the United States: the NEPTUNE™ project, selected and funded through a RAISE ecosystem call, represents an outstanding achievement in underwater archaeology, combining technological innovation with the cultural promotion of Sicily’s submerged heritage.

The exhibition “Sunken Treasures, Ancient Seas” is making its U.S. debut in two stages: from October 4, 2025 to January 11, 2026 at the Fernbank Museum in Atlanta, and from January to May 2026 at the History Museum in Mobile, Alabama. The exhibition offers American audiences an immersive journey through ancient shipwrecks, archaeological finds, and historical evidence, integrating innovative technologies and multimedia storytelling to allow visitors to “virtually travel” beneath the surface of Sicilian waters.

The NEPTUNE™ project – coordinated by the Ligurian startup Mywai S.r.l. with partners Ubica S.r.l., Immersea S.r.l., Next Vision S.r.l., and the Italian Institute of Welding, and supported by the Sicilian Region – Superintendency of the Sea, the Ministry of the Environment – Portofino Marine Protected Area, and OceanHis – demonstrates how technology, research, and cultural enhancement can make Sicily’s underwater treasures accessible and appreciable on an international scale.

The Ligurian innovation ecosystem RAISE is funded by the Ministry of University and Research (MUR) through investment 1.5 (M4C2) of the National Recovery and Resilience Plan (NRRP). The plan aims to create and strengthen innovation ecosystems in technological fields aligned with the industrial and research vocations of each region, while promoting collaboration among the research system, industry, and local institutions. The ecosystem includes 27 partners from academia, research institutions, public bodies, and industry, coordinated by the University of Genoa (UNIGE), the National Research Council (CNR), and the Italian Institute of Technology (IIT).

The NEPTUNE™ project’s operational activities took place in Lipari, in the Aeolian Islands, at the renowned Capistello shipwreck, a cargo vessel dating to the 4th century BC. Technical and scientific dives were conducted using innovative underwater propulsion systems developed to ensure highly precise data geolocation even without GPS. Tracking was integrated with a waterproof 8K camera mounted on the vehicle, capable of capturing ultra-high-resolution imagery of the site, and with an OceanHis multiparametric probe designed to continuously monitor key environmental parameters such as temperature, salinity, pH, and conductivity.

Thanks to the NEPTUNE™ system, it was possible to create 3D digital models of the shipwrecks, integrate optical, environmental, and navigation data, and automatically identify objects and anomalies using artificial intelligence. This approach enabled predictive site monitoring and dynamic management of underwater cultural heritage.

Artifacts on display include: rams from the Battle of the Egadi, helmets recovered off Levanzo, lead ingots from Capo Passero, Punic coins from Pantelleria, orichalcum ingots from Gela, amphorae from Cala Minnola, black-glazed ceramics from the Capistello wreck, finds from the Panarea III shipwreck located at a depth of 114 meters, tableware and jewelry from the Scauri wreck in Pantelleria, and artifacts from Marsala, Mazara del Vallo, Trapani, San Vito Lo Capo, Marausa, and Petrosino.

The artifacts on display were made available through the collaboration of several institutions: the Superintendency of the Sea of the Sicilian Region, the Archaeological Park of Selinunte, Cave di Cusa and Pantelleria, the Lilibeo Park of Marsala, the “Florio” Sicilian Sea and Navigation Museum Association, and the National Museum of Underwater Activities in Ravenna – The Historical Diving Society.

A special section of the exhibition is dedicated to the origins of modern diving and the development of underwater archaeology in Italy, thanks to the collaboration with the Historical Diving Society – National Museum of Underwater Activities in Ravenna, which is exhibiting historical instruments and equipment used by the pioneers of the discipline.

Ferdinando Maurici, Superintendent of the Sea – Sicilian Region, highlights: “An extraordinary opportunity to showcase millennia of Mediterranean history to the American public, while promoting cutting-edge technologies for the protection of our submerged cultural heritage.”
Francesco Paolo Scarpinato, Regional Councillor for Cultural Heritage and Sicilian Identity – Sicilian Region, adds: “The exhibition allows us to tell the ancient story of the Mediterranean and offer a new interpretation of underwater archaeology thanks to the integration of scientific research and technological innovation.”

Cristina Battaglia, Programme Manager of RAISE, remarks: “An extraordinary opportunity to highlight abroad the results of the RAISE ecosystem, achieved through collaboration among companies, research organizations, and local institutions.”
Marco Faimali, Coordinator of the RAISE Spoke ‘Protection and Care of the Environment,’ states: “A significant example of how the marine eco-robotics developed within the RAISE project can help export our country’s underwater history and culture beyond its borders.”

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AquaSense by Spoke 3: a new sensor for assessing coastal water quality

Posted on 20 November 202520 November 2025 by admin

In the Gulf of Tigullio, between Portofino and Santa Margherita Ligure, a research team from the Institute of Biophysics (CNR-IBF) has carried out the first operational tests of an innovative fluorescence sensor designed to measure organic matter in seawater.

The sensor was developed within the framework of Spoke 3 of the RAISE project, in collaboration with the company Dielectrik S.r.l., and represents a significant step forward in monitoring coastal water quality.

The organic molecules detected by the sensor can have both natural and anthropogenic origins. Their concentration results from all the biological processes occurring in the sea, and can therefore be considered a synthetic indicator of water quality and the health of the coastal ecosystem.

The field test was conducted in collaboration with the research group led by Prof. Paolo Povero from DISTAV at the University of Genoa. During navigation in the Gulf of Tigullio, the sensor collected real-time data, which were later compared with water samples taken for laboratory analyses.

The choice of Santa Margherita Ligure was not accidental: the area hosts an LTER (Long Term Ecological Research) site located within a marine protected area that has been studied for years by the University of Genoa. It is also a particularly dynamic environment, influenced by various sources of organic matter from the nearby Entella River, small harbors, aquaculture facilities in Lavagna, and urban discharges.

The goal of this first operational test is to verify the sensor’s performance under real conditions and to integrate the obtained measurements with other chemical, physical, biological, and satellite parameters. All these data will then be fed into artificial intelligence platforms developed within the RAISE project, in order to create early warning systems for the protection and sustainable management of the coastal environment.

This test represents a first step toward technology serving the coastal environment within the field of marine ecorobotics.

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Photo author (video frame): Bluframe and RAISE
Credits: RAISE

VERO, the RAISE robot showcased at Ecomondo 2025

Posted on 10 November 202510 November 2025 by admin

From 4 to 7 November 2025, the Rimini Expo Centre hosted the 28th edition of Ecomondo – The Green Technology Expo, Europe’s leading event dedicated to ecological transition and the circular economy.

Within this setting, RAISE presented VERO, a robot developed within the Ecosystem’s Spoke 3, which captured the attention of visitors and professionals thanks to its innovative capabilities and its vision of a future where technology supports both people and the environment.

VERO (Vacuum-cleaner Equipped RObot) was developed by the Dynamic Legged Systems (DLS) group at the Italian Institute of Technology (IIT), coordinated by Claudio Semini. Angelo Bratta and Gabriel Fischer Abati representing RAISE Spoke 3, introduced this cutting-edge robotic system to the public and industry experts. The project embodies years of research and experimentation in mobile robotics and artificial intelligence.

Designed to collaborate with humans in waste collection and removal, VERO combines agility, autonomy, and perceptual intelligence. Its dynamic structure and adaptability to diverse operational contexts make it a valuable ally for cleaning tasks in complex, urban, and natural environments. By integrating advanced sensors and machine learning algorithms, the robot can recognize objects and obstacles, plan efficient paths, and interact safely with human operators.

Throughout the Ecomondo exhibition, VERO demonstrated the potential of robotics for environmental sustainability, showing how the synergy between artificial intelligence and bio-inspired design can lead to more efficient waste management and contribute to the protection of natural ecosystems. The project is part of the activities carried out by RAISE Spoke 3, dedicated to the development of robots that promote environmental care and social well-being, and reflects the broader philosophy of the RAISE Ecosystem: combining scientific excellence, technological transfer, and a tangible positive impact on society.

Angelo Bratta highlighted how RAISE’s approach encourages the creation of collaborative and responsible technologies, capable of addressing the challenges of ecological transition through concrete and measurable results. Participation in Ecomondo provided an opportunity to share achievements, foster dialogue, and strengthen connections between research, industry, and institutions, in a setting that continues to represent an international benchmark for the green economy and sustainable innovation.

With more than twenty-eight years of history, Ecomondo has confirmed its role as a laboratory of ideas and a meeting point for disciplines, experiences, and visions. The 2025 edition has consolidated Italy’s position as a strategic hub for environmental innovation in Europe, bringing together companies, start-ups, researchers, and policymakers to explore solutions that align progress with responsibility.

In this context, the presence of VERO offered a tangible example of how robotics can serve as a catalyst for the circular economy, transforming technology into a tool for environmental care and planetary regeneration.

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TEC-SOS put the sea at the heart of innovation

Posted on 5 November 20255 November 2025 by admin

On October 8, 2025, the University of Palermo hosted the closing event of the TEC-SOS project – Sustainable Technologies for Monitoring in Marine Protected Areas of the Lower Tyrrhenian Sea – an initiative within the RAISE innovation ecosystem (Robotics and AI for Socio-Economic Empowerment).

The project brought together scientific research, technology, and civic participation to develop and test advanced solutions for monitoring and protecting marine ecosystems.

The event took place at the Department of Earth and Marine Sciences (DiSTeM) and gathered researchers, students, professionals, institutional representatives, and citizens. Rector Massimo Midiri, Vice-Rector for Research Andrea Pace, and DiSTeM Director Attilio Sulli opened the meeting with institutional greetings, highlighting the strategic importance of initiatives that link technological innovation with environmental sustainability.

During the morning session, participants attended presentations of the project’s results and a roundtable discussion dedicated to RAISE’s key action lines, which promote robotics and artificial intelligence in service of society and the environment. Elisa Costa (CNR-IAS, Genoa) outlined the role of Spoke 3 within the RAISE ecosystem, focused on sustainable technologies for marine protection. The discussion then featured contributions from Gianluca Sarà, Attilio Sulli, Maria Giovanna Parisi – scientific coordinator of the TEC-SOS project – Adriano Fagiolini, Maria Cristina Mangano, Maria Maisano, Davide Bruno, and Valeria Pizziol, who shared insights, outcomes, and research perspectives.

“With TEC-SOS, we wanted to build a bridge between science and local communities, putting technology at the service of the sea and of those who live it every day,” said Prof. Maria Giovanna Parisi. “Innovation is not an end in itself: it helps us better understand ecosystems, protect them, and increase our collective awareness of the natural heritage surrounding us.”

Through an integrated approach, the TEC-SOS project tested next-generation sensors in real marine environments to measure physical, chemical, and biological parameters in Marine Protected Areas of the Lower Tyrrhenian Sea. The activities also involved divers and local communities in citizen science initiatives aimed at collecting georeferenced data on non-native species, mortality events, marine litter accumulation, and ghost nets.

The combination of field observations and scientific measurements provided new insights into the causes and dynamics of complex ecological phenomena, supporting more effective management and conservation strategies.

During the event, participants visited the laboratories that contributed to the project, including the MIB Lab of Marine Immunobiology, the e-LAB of Marine Ecology, the Geomorphology and Applied Geology Lab, the Electronics and Robotics Engineering Lab, and the Ecotoxicology Lab at the University of Messina. The Altamarea Diving Center and the Ustica Island Marine Protected Area presented real-world applications of the developed technologies.

Through practical demonstrations and interactive activities, the event turned research into a direct experience, offering the public the chance to explore tools, methods, and concrete applications for marine protection.

With TEC-SOS, technological innovation found in the Mediterranean a natural laboratory where science, education, and community came together to build a more sustainable future.

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Christ of the Abyss meets Artificial Intelligence: MYWAI celebrates 71 years of the iconic underwater statue with a 5D digital twin in the NEPTUNE™ platform

Posted on 10 September 202511 September 2025 by admin

On the occasion of the 71st anniversary of the placement of the Christ of the Abyss in the waters of San Fruttuoso Bay, MYWAI Srl, an italian AI startup based in the prestigious Baia del Silenzio in Sestri Levante, in the North West Riviera between Portofino and Cinqueterre, proudly announces the integration of the iconic statue into the 5D Digital Twin collection of its NEPTUNE™ platform — the first European system combining Artificial Intelligence and IoT to create digital twins for Underwater Data Awareness (UDA). This system enables the collection of data from robots, devices, machinery, and sensors during underwater inspections of archaeological, touristic, biomarine, and industrial sites.

The digital model of the Christ of the Abyss, created by partner IMMERSEA using advanced photogrammetry techniques, has been enhanced by MYWAI with AI-based neural rendering technologies such as NeRF and Gaussian Splatting, applied to underwater video footage.

The result is a high-fidelity 3D digital twin, integrated into MYWAI’s Underwater AIoT platform, which collects and geolocates environmental data from the seabed. This model allows for 4D temporal monitoring and 5D semantic enrichment through AI agents powered by LLM-based language models, similar to ChatGPT, but designed to operate locally in a secure and privacy-preserving manner. These agents provide insights into the artifact and its surrounding environment while ensuring protection of sensitive scientific data and controlled sharing.

Placed in 1954 at a depth of 17 meters, the Christ of the Abyss has long been a symbol of peace and remembrance for divers and visitors from around the world. Today, thanks to the NEPTUNE™ project, funded by Spoke 5 of RAISE – the innovation ecosystem for AI and Robotics, coordinated by the Italian Institute of Technology, University of Genoa, CNR, and Regione Liguria – this cultural treasure enters the digital age.

The NEPTUNE™ system, based on patented technology by MYWAI, enables real-time management of environmental data from ROVs (Remotely Operated Vehicles) and reconstructs underwater environments on remote screens, where researchers and university students can study and interact with digital twins in an immersive and intelligent way.

The video of the Christ of the Abyss and the NEPTUNE™ model will be featured in the outreach materials being prepared by RAISE for the upcoming “Festival della Scienza”, offering the public a unique experience of enhanced underwater exploration.

Ecosistema RAISE - Cristo degli Abissi - NEPTUNE MYWAI Spoke 2 — Digital Twin 5D Christ of the Abyss on NEPTUNE™ | Author: NEPTUNE™ | Credits: NEPTUNE™ and RAISE

“Winning the RAISE project and bringing NEPTUNE™ to life on such an iconic site for our Ligurian region is a milestone for MYWAI” , stated Fabrizio Cardinali, Co-CEO & Co-Founder of MYWAI, “ It marks the birth of Italy’s first underwater AI system for data awareness, where heritage meets innovation.”

“NEPTUNE™ is an extremely flexible solution,” added Marco Faimali, CNR-IAS director, Spoke 3 coordinator, “which, in collaboration with MYWAI and other partners, we are beginning to apply to Underwater Data Awareness and ecorobotics across multiple sectors — from intelligent biofouling management in industrial and dual-use scenarios to environmental DNA analysis in marine contexts.”

“NEPTUNE™ is a clear success story of our program,” concluded Cristina Battaglia, Program Manager RAISE, “providing tangible evidence of our commitment to applying Artificial Intelligence and Robotics to marine science through open innovation and collaboration with sector-focused startups.”

The NEPTUNE™ partnership is composed of MYWAI SRL, UBICA SRL, IMMERSEA SRL, NEXT VISION SRL, IIS – ITALIAN INSTITUTE OF WELDING and UNIVERSITY OF CATANIA, with the participation of the SICILIAN REGION – Soprintendenza del Mare, MINISTRY OF THE ENVIRONMENT – Portofino Marine Protected Area and OCEANHIS.

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Homepage Christ of the Abyss on NEPTUNE™
Author: NEPTUNE™
Credits: NEPTUNE™ and RAISE

Be.Ci.S and Spoke 3: sensors for citizen science

Posted on 17 July 202517 July 2025 by admin

The experimentation activities within the Be.Ci.S – Be a Citizen Scientist project, part of the Spoke 3 program, continue in Bogliasco. The project aims to develop and validate an integrated environmental monitoring system based on a participatory approach that actively involves citizens.

As part of the planned activities, Outdoor Portofino, the lead partner of the Be.Ci.S project – which participates in the RAISE ecosystem thanks to funding obtained through cascading calls from Spoke 5 related to Spoke 3 themes – has launched a new testing phase of sensors developed by IoTopon S.r.l., focusing particularly on detecting environmental parameters in marine and coastal areas.

The tests took place along the Bogliasco coastline, using sensors installed on light watercraft during kayaking and stand-up paddle excursions. The experiment demonstrated the device’s extreme ease of use, even for non-expert citizens, confirming the project’s goal to make scientific monitoring accessible to amateur athletes and nature enthusiasts alike.

Currently, the sensor can detect over 20 environmental parameters related to weather, air quality, and water quality. Each measurement is georeferenced and automatically mapped, accessible via an app or remotely from a PC. Data flows into a centralized database supporting research initiatives, scientific outreach, and educational activities. Particular attention is given to analyzing climate change and the contribution a network of active citizens can provide in large-scale data collection.

One of the project’s distinctive features is the sensor’s versatility, designed for use in diverse outdoor contexts – from cycling to aquatic activities. Its compactness, light weight, and adaptability make it ideal for daily and spontaneous use, enabling anyone to collect valuable data for science.

Confirming the project’s participatory approach, a citizen engagement program has been launched, selecting a group of ambassadors. These volunteers actively participate in the testing phase, collecting marine data that are sent and validated daily. This is a concrete example of the value of citizen science and the potential contribution of each individual to environmental research.

Future sensor developments will include new functions, such as measuring water salinity and concentrations of carbon dioxide and sulfur dioxide in marine environments. These advancements will require a broad and accurate database that only a widespread network of active citizens can provide.

The Be.Ci.S project thus confirms itself as an innovative platform for participatory science, combining technology, sustainability, and active public involvement in environmental protection.