At the Intelligent Transportation Systems Lab (Smart Move), we maintain a world-class research infrastructure that supports the full lifecycle of autonomous maritime system development—from fundamental research to real-world deployment. Our equipment enables large-scale testing, rapid prototyping, and field demonstrations, both in simulation and real-world environments.
Located on the island of Syros, in the heart of the Aegean Sea, our lab offers direct access to open-water testing grounds, allowing for seamless transitions between simulation-based trials, laboratory testing, and real-world sea experiments. Working alongside global industrial and scientific partners, we provide a continuous development pipeline where concepts can be simulated, tested in lab conditions, and deployed in the field with minimal delay. Our work contributes to transforming the Aegean Sea into an Innovation Valley for the blue economy.
Key Equipment Categories
- Unmanned Vessels: A fleet of autonomous surface and underwater vehicles equipped with advanced sensors and control systems for research in navigation, perception, and environmental monitoring.
- Sensor Technologies: A diverse range of imaging, navigation, and environmental sensors, enabling real-time data collection for mapping, obstacle detection, and intelligent decision-making.
- AegeaNET: A sensor and communication network integrating AIS and ADS-B receivers, providing real-time vessel and aircraft tracking for maritime situational awareness and research.
Our lab also pioneers “Ro-Boat Races”, conducting structured sea trials under realistic conditions to assess system robustness and reliability. Additionally, we support remote testing, enabling researchers worldwide to conduct “on-the-water” experiments remotely. These efforts are crucial in building trust in autonomous systems, ensuring their safety, reliability, and transparency for widespread adoption.
With a unique combination of cutting-edge laboratory infrastructure and real-world testing capabilities, Smart Move is at the forefront of developing and validating next-generation maritime autonomous technologies.