AI4SEA aims to develop a novel, AI-embedded, multi-agent robotic system for the autonomous mapping, monitoring, and restoration of underwater habitats. Focusing on the integration of Artificial Intelligence in physical systems, the project combines advanced marine robotics, embedded learning architectures, and digital twin technology to address critical challenges in marine ecosystem degradation. The system includes a bi-manual Intervention-AUV (I-AUV), a permanent seabed observatory, and a network of AI-enabled landers for long-term environmental monitoring. These components work collaboratively to conduct adaptive seabed mapping, functional habitat assessment, and precision restoration using AI-driven decision-making under severe communication constraints.
The Posidonia oceanica meadows in the Mediterranean Sea serve as the primary use case, enabling cost-effective validation and scientific impact. Through this case, AI4SEA will demonstrate a scalable framework for ecological restoration, contributing to EU marine conservation goals. The project advances embedded AI for autonomous operations, edge processing, environmental forecasting, and anomaly detection, while producing high-resolution ecological datasets. AI4SEA brings together expertise from robotics, marine science, and artificial intelligence to deliver a transformative approach to underwater habitat recovery, ensuring long-term resilience and supporting biodiversity conservation across European seas.
