AutoNaut USVs Support NTNU Research Mission in Frohavet, Norway

Over a three-month research campaign in Frohavet, Norway, scientists from the Norwegian University of Science and Technology (NTNU) Faculty of Natural Sciences deployed two AutoNaut uncrewed surface vessels (USVs) – named YAN and RAN – to support cutting-edge ecosystem monitoring and hyperspectral satellite calibration.

These long-endurance distinctive yellow and red AutoNauts were the only platforms capable of multi-day operations at sea, delivering real-time biological and optical data for EU and Norwegian-funded projects like SFI Harvest, DiverSea, AWAS, and HYPSCI.

YAN featured a Kongsberg EK80 echosounder for zooplankton tracking, while RAN was equipped with a McLane PPS sampler and dual Trios Ramses sensors for optical water analysis. Their combined observations formed part of NTNU’s “observational pyramid,” linking in-situ data with satellite imaging.

We’re proud to support NTNU and the AURlab team in advancing autonomous marine science and environmental insight.