The MERLIN project is a four-year project funded under the European Union’s Horizon Europe Grant Agreement: 101189796 and it is coordinated by the University of Birmingham. The project is a collaboration between the University of Birmingham, Space Applications Services N.V., Graal Tech S.R.L.., ALTUS LSA Commercial and Manufacturing S.A., Universidad de Castilla-La Mancha, On Air S.R.L. Hysytech S.R.L., National Centre for Scientific Research “Demokritos”, AIDEAS OU, Centre for Research and Technology Hellas, ENGITEC Systems International Ltd., Agencia Estatal Consejo Superior de Investigaciones Cientificas, Valstybes Imone Klaipedos Valstybinio Juru Uosto Direkcija, TUCO Yacht Vaerft APS, Universitat Politecnica de Catalunya, Hellenic Centre for Marine Research, UAB “ACRUX Cyber Services”, and MC Baltics.
Project Objectives
The Key Objectives (KOs) of MERLIN are:
KO1. To develop autonomous intelligent seaborne and underwater USV and AUV systems with long endurance capability
based on hydrogen and renewable energy monitoring with grasping and automated data processing capability.
KO2. To enable complex sea survey, marine habitat monitoring, offshore infrastructure inspection and sampling to be
carried out using autonomous systems without the need to deploy expensive crewed vessels.
KO3. Provide qualitative and quantitative scientific data and evidence by demonstrating the developed systems in different
pilot cases under realistic scenarios.
K04. Contribute to sustainable EU Digital and Blue Economies by maintaining existing markets and developing new ones
with high-impact and Return of Investment (ROI) potential. Create high-skill jobs in critical industrial sectors for Europe.
Previous project
Merlin project will build further on the achievements of the very successful ENDURUNS project completed in July 2023.