EVENTS: Innovablue Living Labs: testing underwater drones and autonomous vessels in action
Innovablue is expanding the boundaries of the blue economy by turning real-world locations into Living Lab sites for cutting-edge marine technology. Our stakeholders and project partners carried out on-site demonstrations at three key locations – Vransko Lake, Marine Station Martinska in Šibenik, and Beach Banj in Šibenik showcasing how innovative blue technologies like underwater drones and autonomous vessels can operate in both freshwater and marine environments.
Underwater drone mapping at Vransko Lake (freshwater Living Lab)
On October 15, 2025, at Vransko Jezero Nature Park in Croatia, the Innovablue team conducted a pilot test using an underwater drone deployed from a small boat. This remotely operated underwater vehicle performed a survey of the lake’s submerged vegetation. The goal was to detect and map underwater plant life as a proof-of-concept for freshwater ecosystem monitoring. With the support of the Nature Park authorities, the drone’s cameras and sensors scanned the lakebed, gathering data on aquatic plants and habitat conditions. Such real-world tests in a lake environment help researchers refine the drone’s capabilities to identify vegetation patterns and assess water quality in ways not possible from the surface. By successfully deploying an underwater ROV (remotely operated vehicle) in Lake Vransko, Innovablue extends the Living Lab concept inland demonstrating that advanced marine technology can also benefit freshwater conservation.
Insights from this test will aid park managers and scientists in monitoring lake health, detecting invasive species or algae blooms, and informing conservation measures.
Autonomous surface vessel at Šibenik’s Marine station Martinska
Moving from lake to sea, we also tested an autonomous surface vessel at the Šibenik Living Lab site. At the Martinska Marine Station (operated by Ruđer Bošković Institute near Šibenik), our partners piloted a cutting-edge unmanned boat to showcase its potential for coastal monitoring. This autonomous vessel, equipped with onboard sensors and navigation systems cruised the waters of Šibenik’s channel, collecting environmental data. Such a demonstration offers “a chance to see innovation applied in real environments,” as we bridge theory and practice. These autonomous surface vessels (ASVs) carry cameras and water quality sensors to map the seabed, monitor seagrass meadows, and record data on parameters like temperature and salinity. By operating the ASV in a real coastal setting at Martinska, the team could observe how it navigates currents and boat traffic and how effectively it gathers data on marine life and habitats. Such living lab trials are vital to fine-tune the vessel’s autonomous navigation and to validate sensor readings against actual conditions. Autonomous marine drones like this can greatly improve how we monitor and protect coastal ecosystems they can reach areas too shallow or risky for manned boats, work around the clock, and stream data in real time for researchers.
“Sretno More – Happy Sea” tech-enabled cleanup at beach Banj
Innovation in the blue economy isn’t just about research it’s also about engaging the community for a healthier sea. At Beach Banj in Šibenik, Innovablue participants rolled up their sleeves for a special Living Lab demonstration combined with an eco-action called “Sretno more” (meaning “Happy Sea”). This initiative, jointly led by DIH Innovamare, the Ruđer Bošković Institute, and telecom partner Telemach, leverages advanced technology to clean coastal waters. On the Banj city beach, local divers teamed with students and our experts to remove litter from the seabed with a high-tech assist. We deployed “Faust V”, Croatia’s first autonomous marine vessel developed under DIH Innovamare, to scan the underwater terrain for debris and guide the cleanup. Faust V is a 5G-connected robotic boat equipped with advanced sonar and cameras; it can detect submerged trash in real time and even help retrieve it. Alongside, underwater drones (sometimes nicknamed “submarine drones”) dove below the surface to get a closer look and assist divers in locating waste.
Why these real-world tests matter
Living Labs are more than just test sites – they are collaborative innovation spaces where new solutions are tried under real conditions. The demonstrations at Vransko Lake, Martinska, and Banj show how this approach accelerates progress in the blue economy. By testing technologies in real environments, we reduce the risks and unknowns before full-scale deployment and speed up the path from idea to market. For example, running the underwater drone in a lake revealed how the platform handles freshwater visibility and vegetation differences, informing improvements. Piloting the autonomous vessel in Šibenik’s busy waters identified practical considerations for its navigation and data collection in a dynamic sea environment. Each trial also strengthens partnerships: park rangers, scientists, public authorities, and even students all took part, reflecting the cross-sector collaboration at the heart of Innovablue.
These innovations directly support sustainability. Underwater ROVs and autonomous vessels can vastly improve environmental monitoring, they gather critical data on ecosystems efficiently and continuously. Scientists note that using autonomous vessels with the right sensors enables us to map sensitive habitats like seagrass beds and detect changes (pollution, invasive species, declining water quality) much faster and safer than traditional methods. This means we can respond sooner to threats and base conservation actions on solid, up-to-date evidence. Similarly, tech-assisted cleanup initiatives like Sretno more multiply our impact: a smart boat and drone can scan deeper and wider areas for trash than divers alone, tackling the marine litter problem more effectively. They also serve as eye-catching demonstrators that raise public awareness. By seeing a robot boat fish out garbage, people (especially youth) gain a vivid appreciation of both the pollution issue and the power of innovation to solve it.
Expanding our network of Living Lab sites, from inland lakes to coastal stations is a step forward for a more resilient and sustainable blue economy across the Adriatic region. Each site brings unique conditions and learning opportunities: what we perfect in one location can be adapted and scaled to others. Innovablue’s transnational approach means the insights from Croatia’s lakes and seas are shared with partners in other Adriatic-Ionian countries, amplifying the impact. By investing in these real-world trials today, we are ensuring that tomorrow’s blue technologies (from marine drones to AI-powered sensors) are safer, smarter, and ready to tackle environmental challenges while creating new jobs and services.
It’s innovation with a purpose, driving economic growth, protecting nature, and connecting communities around a shared vision of a cleaner, smarter sea.