Speakers

Prof. Cesare Stefanini 

Director of the BioRobotics Institute of School of Advanced Studies Sant'Anna, Pisa, Italy

Title: 

Underwater Robots: Swimming, Swarming and Feeding

Bio: Cesare Stefanini is the Director of the BioRobotics Institute of Scuola Superiore Sant’Anna (SSSA) in Pontedera, Italy, where he is also the Head of the Creative Engineering Design Lab.

He received the M.Sc. degree in mechanical engineering, robotics and automation track, and the Ph.D. degree in Industrial and Information Engineering, microengineering track, from SSSA, both with honors, in 1997 and 2002, respectively.

From 2018 to 2021 he has been the Director of the HEIC research Center of Khalifa University, Abu Dhabi.

His research activity is applied to different fields, including small scale robotics, bioinspired systems, mechatronics and robotics for environmental, medical and industrial applications. He received international recognitions for the development of novel actuators for microrobots and he has been visiting researcher at the University of Stanford, Center for Design Research.

Dr. Stefanini is currently the PI of four research projects, including two international projects on underwater swarm robotics. Dr. Stefanini has been the scientific advisor of a leading company in the field of robotic surgery (MMI - Medical Micro-instruments SpA) and the recipient of the "Intuitive Surgical Research Award". Dr. Stefanini is the author or co-author of more than 180 articles on refereed international journals and on international conferences proceedings. He is the inventor of 17 international patents, 10 of which industrially exploited by world-leading companies, including Amazon Inc., Magneti Marelli S.p.A., General Electric Co, and Pirelli & C. S.p.A.

He is a member of the Academy of Scientists of the UAE and of the IEEE Societies RAS (Robotics and Automation), EMBS (Engineering in Medicine and Biology) and PES (Power and Energy).

Dr. Ada Natoli
Assistant Professor, Zayed University, and Project Director and FounderProject Director and Founder of the UAE Dolphin Project Initiative, Dubai, UAE

Title: 

Conservation of whales and dolphins in UAE progress and challenges

Abstract: Whales and dolphins are top marine predators that play a crucial role in marine ecosystems, functioning as nutrient recyclers, carbon sinks, and boosters of deep benthic ecosystems. Despite their ecological importance, these species are among the most endangered mammals. Research to assess their status and identify specific threats is both logistically and economically challenging. In this presentation, we provide an overview of current research on whales and dolphins conducted in the UAE. We present results gathered over the past 10 years and discuss the challenges of data collection and analysis in open waters. Finally, we explore how technology can support long-term research, reducing costs and maximizing results

Bio: Dr. Ada Natoli is a molecular ecologist specializing in conservation genetics of endangered species. She is an assistant professor at Zayed University, UAE, with a PhD from Durham University, UK, focused on the Molecular Ecology of bottlenose and common dolphins. With 30 years of research experience, she founded and directs the UAE Dolphin Project Initiative, aiming to gather scientific information on the cetacean population in UAE and the Gulf. Ada employs multidisciplinary methods (citizen sciences, boat-based surveys, acoustic surveys, stranding data, stomach content analysis, genetics) to maximise the information needed for effective conservation efforts. She is a member of the IUCN Cetacean Specialist List, Cetacean Specialist Group Red List Authority. She is also member of the Committee of Scientific Advisor, Society of Marine Mammalogy, and long term participant at the International Whaling Commission.

Dr. Simona Aracri 

Tenured Researcher CNR (Italian National Center for Research), Genoa, Italy 

Title: 

Exploring Uncharted Waters: Innovative Robotics and FAIR Data for Ocean Science

Abstract:
Environmental observations are carried out mostly by established technology. In the sphere of ocean monitoring- oceanographic vessels, gliders, Argo floats, drifters, moorings and satellites are the main sources of full depth, autonomous, lagrangian, eulerian and synoptic data. Nevertheless, there are fundamental gaps left in marine observations by traditional platforms. The role of emerging ocean robotics is to explore otherwise inaccessible areas, such as the polar regions, uncontaminated seas, abyssal plains. The robotics that ocean data gaps are calling for are cost effective, reconfigurable and capable of operating in an environmentally mindful fashion. Data FAIR principles offer a comprehensive avenue that invites the scientific community to embrace the design of a new robotic mission in concert with the global observational effort. 

Bio: Permanent Researcher at the National Research Council of Italy – Institute of Marine Engineering. Previously Post-Doctoral Research Associate, Soft Systems Group, University of Edinburgh, focussing on offshore robotic sensors. She holds bachelor's and master's degrees in marine engineering and Naval Architecture (University of Genoa, University of A Coruña, University of Trieste and Royal Netherlands Institute for Sea Research). She also holds a Ph.D. in Physical Oceanography from the National Oceanography Centre - University of Southampton. Her Ph.D. was sponsored by the Italian National Research Council - Institute of Marine Sciences, in Venice. She has spent more than 6 months at sea on oceanographic sampling campaigns, in the Mediterranean Sea, Pacific Ocean and the North Sea. Her research interests encompass: the application of robotics for observational oceanography and environmental monitoring. She is interested in the entire process of data collection, from the device design to the deployment setting and, ultimately, in the resulting data and data interpretation. Innovative sensors and autonomous platforms need a cross disciplinary approach in order to thrive. New, sustainable, smart platforms can push the boundaries of observational oceanography, coastal management, offshore sites functioning and much more. Groundbreaking technology can result in a new generation of data that can give us the needed insight to embrace a sustainable development and mitigate climate change. 

Christopher Whitt 

Senior Consultant appointed by Lloyd’s Register Foundation to support UN Ocean Decade

Title: 

Advancing Ocean Sustainability: The Role of Marine Robotics and Automation in the UN Decade of Ocean Science 

Abstract: 

Marine robotics and automation are essential parts of the transformation needed to sustainably measure, monitor, and manage ocean resources. The ocean science community has coalesced under the coordination of the UN Decade of Ocean Science for Sustainable Development 2021-2030 (the “Ocean Decade”).

There are numerous ways that innovative applications of technology can both support industries and increase sustainability.

Automated observations supported by ASVs and USVs can accelerate survey operations and improve understanding of the ocean near ports, offshore wind installations, and other infrastructure operations. Improved understanding of ocean characteristics and ecology is necessary to improve ocean models. Ocean models enable improved ocean hazard warnings, better route optimization for commercial shipping, and numerous other developments to move towards fully sustainable use of the ocean.

This talk with cover these and other applications of robotics for ocean sustainability.

Bio: Christopher Whitt is the Senior Engineering and Safety Consultant appointed by Lloyd’s Register Foundation to support the UN Ocean Decade Coordination Unit. Lloyd's Register Foundation aims to engineer a safer world by reducing risk and enhancing safety in critical infrastructure through research, technology acceleration, education, and public outreach.

Previously, Christopher was the Ship Signature Engineer at Irving Shipbuilding, responsible for the new Canadian frigate program's noise, RF, IR, and EM signatures. Earlier, Christopher was a project engineer and project manager at JASCO Applied Sciences, where he was involved with many wide-scale ocean acoustic monitoring projects, particularly in the Arctic. Christopher is a registered professional engineer (P.Eng.) in Nova Scotia. He completed his undergraduate (B.Eng. 2000) and graduate degrees (M.Eng. 2010) at Memorial University in St. John’s, NL, Canada. In addition to ocean engineering, Christopher has broad personal interests, including sustainability, music, aviation, and sports.

Dr. Francesco Maurelli 

Associate Professor, Marine Systems and Robotics, Constructor University, Bremen and Entrepreneur, Germany

Title: 

Smart Seas and Smart Education: training the new generation of marine robotics engineers

Bio: Dr. Francesco Maurelli is a Professor in Marine Systems and Robotics at Constructor University - formerly Jacobs University Bremen (Germany, EU), where he also serves as Program Chair for the Robotics and Intelligent Systems Program. He has obtained his PhD at the Oceans Systems Lab, Heriot-Watt University (Edinburgh, Scotland) with a thesis on intelligent localisation of Autonomous Underwater Vehicles. He has been Scientific Manager at Technical University of Munich (Germany, EU) where he led European-wide initiatives to support moving robotics technology from the lab to the market. After a research stay at Massachusetts Institute of Technology (Cambridge, MA, USA), as a Marie Curie Fellow, he has accepted a faculty position in Constructor University. Dr. Maurelli's research interests are focused on persistent autonomy for marine robotics, perception, autonomous navigation, intelligent decision making, sensor data processing and fault management.

Dr. Maurelli is an Executive Committee member of the Global Young Academy, Co-Chair of the Technical Committee in Marine Robotics and Co-Chairs of the Young Professional Committee in the IEEE Robotics and Automation Society and Young Professional Laureate in the IEEE Oceanic Engineering Society.

Dr. Henrik Stahl 

Dean for the College of Marine Sciences and Aquatic Biology at University of Khorfakkan, Sharjah, UAE

Title:
Advancing Marine Carbon Capture and Its Role in Sustainable Oceans: Integrating Technologies for detection of CO2 leaks in the marine environment. 

Abstract:

As we move into the Ocean Decade for Sustainable Development, marine carbon capture and storage (CCS) could play a key role in mitigating climate change. Monitoring CO2 leaks from sub-seabed CCS sites is essential for ensuring their integrity and the environmental sustainability of CCS. This talk will explore how marine robotics, such as autonomous underwater vehicles (AUVs) and advanced sensing technologies, can be used for the detection of CO2 leakage in marine environments. By using real-time data and sensor technologies, these systems enable precise leak detection, and minimizing potential environmental impact. The presentation will also highlight case studies and discuss the future of robotics in marine CCS monitoring.

Bio: Dr. John Henrik Stahl is an Associate Professor and Dean of the College of Marine Sciences and Aquatic Biology at the University of Khorfakkan. With over 20 years of experience in marine biogeochemistry and sustainability, his research has focused on marine carbon sequestration, climate change impacts on oceans, and marine ecosystem conservation. Dr. Stahl has led and contributed to numerous international research projects, including groundbreaking work on monitoring CO2 leakage and its effects on marine ecosystems. He is an active member of leading marine science organizations and a frequent speaker at international conferences, advocating for sustainable ocean management and innovative marine technologies.

Dr. Marco Carraro

Robotics and Control System Engineer, Saipem S.p.A., Venice (Italy)

Title:
Towards sustainable O&G life of field: the Hydrone platform

Abstract: O&G represent still a big share of the world energy demand and to efficiently exploit them, several underwater fields have been built across the world to begin the refinement process directly subsea. However, most operations and maintenance activities are still human-centered; thus, requiring a vessel with dozens of people in place to access the assets using Remotely Operated Vehicles. Saipem Hydrone platform plans to enhance this business model by introducing the concept of resident vehicles. The platform consists of several vehicles with an autonomy stack that permits them to dock and undock autonomously from their garage, compute missions around the fields, while monitoring for any anomaly. Operators have the ability to control the vehicles remotely from anywhere in the world, which limits the need for a heavily polluting vessel to repeatedly visit the field for these tasks.

Bio: Marco Carraro is a Robotics and Control System Engineer at Saipem S.p.A., Venice (Italy). He is currently Software Lead of the Hydrone platform, coordinating the software team that work on Autonomous Underwater Vehicles such as the Flatfish and the Hydrone-R. He received his M.Sc. degree and PhD at the University of Padova (Italy) in the field of Perception for Autonomous Robotics in 2014 and 2017 respectively. He joined Saipem in early 2018 where he participated from the design to the implementation and testing of the Hydrone platform touching many challenging topics such as, communication middlewares, perception algorithms, autonomous planning and system engineering. He also worked in the UAE in 2023 with the Technology Innovation Institute, deploying the first AUV of the company.