Page 51: of Marine Technology Magazine (January 2026)

All images courtesy EdgeLab

Integrated platform: AUV, docking station, Autonomous docking pool test developed ground control station, and surface buoy. by EdgeLab, La Spezia, Italy. samplers, integrated on a range of autonomous platforms and rithms, system diagnostics and autonomous management log- validated through large-scale demonstrations in European seas. ics, which allow the closure of the vehicle’s operational cycle

Within this context, EdgeLab played an active role in the devel- and enable persistent and adaptive missions. While incorporat- opment, adaptation and validation of technological solutions for ing machine learning techniques for environmental data analy- autonomous platforms, taking responsibility for sensor integra- sis, M.A.R.E. primarily represents a demonstration of the tech- tion, on-board system optimisation and the operational testing of nological maturity of automatic docking, consolidating docking underwater docking solutions as a functional element for extend- as an enabling technology for autonomous, scalable marine in- ing AUV operational capabilities. In NAUTILOS, docking was frastructures with a high level of operational reliability.

implemented in a manual or assisted form, representing an initial testbed for the validation of mechanical, electrical and commu- Technological and operational implications nication interfaces between the AUV and the docking station. of automatic docking

These activities enabled a critical analysis of operational The evolution of underwater docking has implications that challenges related to alignment in the presence of currents, ve- extend far beyond the individual vehicle. The availability of hicle stability, and the reliability of power connections and data AUVs capable of autonomously returning to a subsea station ? ows, providing a solid technological and operational founda- enables the deployment of persistent marine infrastructures, tion for the evolution towards higher levels of autonomy. characterised by a reduced need for logistical support and greater continuity in the data acquired.

M.A.R.E.: automatic docking as an enabling From an operational perspective, automatic docking makes element of an autonomous ecosystem it possible to reduce the costs associated with the use of sup-

Building on the experience gained through NAUTILOS, Ed- port vessels and specialised personnel, while simultaneously geLab developed the M.A.R.E. project (Machine Learning Ap- improving operational safety. From a systems perspective, it plied to Marine Ecosystem Research via AUVs), funded by the represents a key enabler for the scalability of observation net-

European Union – NextGenerationEU and implemented within works, making it possible to coordinate multiple autonomous the framework of the National Recovery and Resilience Plan platforms within distributed architectures.

(PNRR). The project is aimed at the development of an integrated system for advanced marine observation, designed to enable the Conclusion coordinated measurement of Essential Ocean Variables across the The development pathway undertaken by EdgeLab, from entire water column through the interaction of multiple platforms. the manual docking validated within the NAUTILOS project

The M.A.R.E. platform integrates an AUV, Docking Station, to the automatic docking implemented in M.A.R.E., demon-

Lander, Hub Buoy and Ground Control Station within a modu- strates how the operational autonomy of underwater systems lar and interoperable architecture, supported by a coherent is the result of a progressive evolution based on experimenta- communication network and by calibration, testing and valida- tion, system integration and technological maturation.

tion procedures conducted both in laboratory environments and Today, automatic docking is no longer merely an ancillary in controlled operational scenarios. Within this framework, au- feature, but a strategic enabling factor for marine observa- tomatic docking technology represents a central and distinctive tion, the sustainability of operations and the development of element: the docking station enables the autonomous return of intelligent underwater infrastructures. Through these projects, the AUV, energy recharging, continuous data transfer and mis- EdgeLab has made a contribution to the advancement of a sion reprogramming without the need for surface recovery. technology that is set to play a central role in the future of

The docking system is supported by advanced control algo- autonomous marine systems.

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