The Voice of the Ocean Foundation (VOTO) has received the first SEAEXPLORER 200m Glider, a new Autonomous Underwater Vehicle (AUV) developed by the French marine technology company ALSEAMAR.
This delivery marks a significant step toward advancing AUV capabilities for use in complex, shallow-water environments, such as the Baltic Sea.
The delivery is the outcome of a close collaboration between VOTO and ALSEAMAR, driven by a mutual dedication to innovation in marine research technology. VOTO, which has experience operating ALSEAMAR’s SEAEXPLORER glider, identified a requirement for an autonomous platform capable of extended endurance in challenging conditions, including shallow depths, strong currents, and pronounced stratification.
To formalise this partnership, VOTO and ALSEAMAR signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU). This agreement outlines a shared commitment to advancing marine research technologies, including developing best practices for data quality and piloting, promoting glider-based ocean observations, enhancing the SEAXPLORER’s technical capabilities, and supporting training and capacity building within the global glider community.
Thibaud Bezacier, CEO of ALSEAMAR, commented, “We are proud to deliver the first Shallow Glider to the Voice of the Ocean Foundation. This partnership reflects our shared vision of pushing the boundaries of ocean exploration and research. The Shallow Glider is designed to operate where other autonomous platforms struggle, providing scientists with vital data from challenging shallow-water environments like the Baltic Sea.”
The new SEAEXPLORER Glider represents a significant advancement for marine science. Its design includes features for three months durability due to larger batteries and the option to deploy from land, enabling continuous and autonomous data collection in conditions where conventional systems often struggle. These design elements are intended to enhance research in coastal and shallow-water environments.
The Baltic Sea, with its unique salinity gradients and limited circulation, provides an ideal setting for launching and validating this innovative technology.
Sanna Thimmig-Johansen, CEO at VOTO, added, “I’m very proud of the work and dedication from our Ocean Tech Team in developing this project. VOTO believes that this technology has the potential to significantly enhance global understanding of ocean processes, providing researchers with new insights into marine ecosystems, climate dynamics, and environmental change.”
VOTO has played a vital role in the development of the SEAEXPLORER Shallow Glider through both financial and scientific support.
