The Intelligent Surveillance for Autonomous Unmanned Marine Surface Vehicle (iS4ASV) project – FRONTEX Research Grants Programme – Grant Agreement N°2025/277 (CALL 2024/CFP/INNOVATE/01) – 2025-2026, runs from September 2025 to August 2026. It proposes the development of small-scale autonomous unmanned surface vehicles (AUSVs) for border surveillance missions, featuring digital intelligence for automated detection and guidance.

The researchers from the Escola Superior Náutica Infante D. Henrique (ENIDH) are Professors Mário Assunção (Principal Investigator), Rosa Marat-Mendes, Hugo Marques, Pedro Teodoro, and Ricardo Póvoa.

Estimated Project Value: 59,711.36 EUR

Estimated Value for ENIDH: 28,522.35 EUR

1. Study of typical missions and variable USV profiles, such as speed, mission duration, and maneuvers. Compilation of energy consumption data from previous missions obtained during experimental trials conducted in the Tagus River. Development of the respective semi-autonomous navigation system through the implementation of Model Predictive Control (MPC) using data provided by cameras, GPS, and IMU sensors. Execution of experimental tests with the AUSV prototype to validate the performance of the situational and threat awareness system and the semi-autonomous navigation system.

2. Focus on the development of a situational and threat identification system. Study of Situational Awareness methodologies capable of sensor fusion with minimal power and weight requirements. Development of robust algorithms, considering risk awareness planning, based on low-power optical and thermal cameras and radars. Execution of experimental tests with the AUSV prototype to validate the performance of the situational and threat awareness system and the semi-autonomous navigation system.

Summary
The project, running between September 2025 and August 2026, titled Intelligent Surveillance for Autonomous Small Unmanned Surface Vehicles (iS4ASV), proposes the development of small-scale autonomous unmanned surface vehicles (AUSV) for border surveillance missions, featuring automated detection and guidance intelligence. Specifically, the proposed objectives are: 1) to demonstrate the feasibility of small-scale electric AUSVs, powered by photovoltaic batteries, equipped with surveillance and guidance technology; 2) to develop a comprehensive and modular situational awareness system capable of sensor fusion (cameras, GPS, IMU) for the automated detection of border violations; and 3) to develop a semi-autonomous navigation system.

The expected outcome is an autonomous AUSV prototype with integrated features, experimentally validated in real river and sea conditions. This project aims to advance scientific knowledge for the European Border and Coast Guard Agency (Frontex) in the following areas: border violation detection technologies; multi-sensor surveillance networks; technologies for the automated fusion of surveillance data from multiple sources; and alternative energy sources and ecosystems for all surveillance assets.
This project follows the work carried out between 2023 and 2024 by the candidates under the Smart Energy Management System for Unmanned Surface Vehicles (SEMS4USV) project for border surveillance missions, funded by Frontex research grants. With the SEMS4USV (2024) project, the candidates succeeded in extending the range of small-scale unmanned surface vehicles (USVs) using photovoltaic and battery systems, as well as an intelligent energy management system capable of using predicted environmental conditions to plan optimal trajectories and mission profiles. The project's success was proven by experimental tests at the interface between the Atlantic Ocean and the Tagus River, demonstrating a range extension of up to +100% due to the inclusion of photovoltaic technology and the developed smart energy management system. Following this, the main objectives of the iS4ASV project will be achieved using the USV resulting from the SEMS4USV project.

To successfully reach the proposed goals, it is necessary to: a) define mission requirements and existing technologies for border surveillance missions and assess potential state-of-the-art algorithms suitable for this application; b) develop situational and threat awareness algorithms and systems; and c) develop a semi-autonomous navigation system for the AUSV to ensure the safety of people and equipment, as well as robustness against environmental conditions. Regarding objective b), radars, cameras, and low-energy consumption sensors will be used to develop robust automated identification and tracking systems. The candidates will collaborate with companies to define typical hardware and software requirements to develop an inclusive and modular platform capable of utilizing sensors. Experimental tests will be conducted in real environmental conditions, simulating actual surveillance missions.

By achieving the defined objectives, the development of sustainable and advanced technologies for border surveillance missions with extended or unlimited mission times is promoted, carrying multi-sensor surveillance data and automated data fusion for surveillance, detection, and guidance capabilities. These technologies will contribute to the development of solutions for comprehensive and multifunctional networked surveillance in Europe, designed as integrated, interoperable, and interconnected technologies for the persistent surveillance of wide areas of external borders.

Currently, the team has already been contacted by a company interested in the potential results achieved by this project.