The AUTOMA Project (Automatic Marine Alien Identification) is an innovative project funded by the Italian National Recovery and Resilience Plan (PNRR) within the NBFC), a national research and innovation centre dedicated to biodiversity. The project is funded by the MUR through European Union NextGeneration EU funds and has the CNR of Italy (CNR) as its main partner and reference body.

The project officially started in November 2024 and was planned to run for one year, ending in October 2025.

The AUTOMA Project landing page is online! Are you a diver and would you like to be part of the project? Become a beta tester and contribute to marine biodiversity research and protection: scan the QR code!

AUTOMA combines industrial development, technological innovation and scientific research applied to the marine environment, with the aim of biodiversity conservation and the monitoring of the spread of alien species, including NIS and IAS (Non-Indigenous Species and Invasive Alien Species), as well as native species of particular ecological interest in the Mediterranean Sea.

Within the project, from a citizen science perspective and as a contribution from civil society to science, active participation is open to all those who carry out diving activities professionally or recreationally. Participants will help implement the digital platform that will be available at the end of the project and will collect all data gathered during its development.

THE AUTOMA CONSORTIUM

Logo EdgeLab - Automa
Logo Pelagosphera - Automa
Logo 20tab - Automa
Logo Superfici - Automa

AUTONOMOUS MARINE TECHNOLOGIES

MARINE BIOLOGY

SOFTWARE ENGINEERING AND MACHINE LEARNING

INDUSTRIAL DESIGN AND 3D PRINTING

EdgeLab is the lead partner of the AUTOMA project and leads the technological development of the AUVs (Autonomous Underwater Vehicles). The company specialises in the integration of optical and hyperspectral sensors for underwater environmental monitoring and in the development of control interfaces for autonomous missions. It coordinates testing, calibration and data collection activities, ensuring the operational reliability of robotic platforms in real-world scenarios. EdgeLab is also responsible for project management and engineering supervision.

Pelagosphera Cooperative specialises in marine environmental monitoring, taxonomy, and surface and underwater ecological analyses. It contributes with its biological and ecological expertise to the identification of marine taxa. Within the AUTOMA project, Pelagosphera is also responsible for scientific data analysis and the identification of alien species, as well as image tagging for machine learning, dissemination and communication.

20tab is responsible for developing the automatic marine species recognition software. It designs the AUTOMA digital platform, integrating machine learning, geolocation, interactive dashboards and open data. It developed the user interface, database architecture, automatic classification system and public data visualisation tools. It is the key partner for the digital transition and advanced processing of biological and environmental data.

Superfici provides technical support for the design and production of the physical components of the AUVs and mission supports through advanced 3D-printing technologies. It develops lightweight, resistant and customised parts according to project requirements. It is responsible for 3D modelling, material selection and structural engineering, working with EdgeLab on the assembly and optimisation of the payloads installed on autonomous vehicles.

ABOUT THE PROJECT:

Project funded by the European Union – Next Generation EU

Project implemented within the Italian National Recovery and Resilience Plan (PNRR)

Project code: NBFC_S8PMI_1045

Project cost: € 1.052.336,11

Project funding: € 741.583,55  

Project duration: 12 mesi