Our laboratory facilities on Syros combine waterfront access with comprehensive prototyping capabilities, enabling rapid development cycles from concept to sea-ready systems. Located steps from the shore, we can move seamlessly between design work, fabrication, and on-water testing.
Prototyping & Fabrication
Through the Department of Product and Systems Design Engineering, we have full access to professional prototyping and fabrication facilities including industrial 3D printers, laser cutting, and precision manufacturing equipment. This capability is central to our research workflow—we design and manufacture custom components that integrate commercial electronics into our vessel platforms.
From CAD design to sea-ready assembly: developing custom 3D-printed components for our autonomous swarm fleet. The process integrates commercial autopilots, GPS modules, batteries, and communication antennas into purpose-built housings, mounts, and enclosures.
Custom Hardware Development
Our in-house design capabilities allow us to create precisely tailored solutions for maritime robotics challenges. Rather than adapting vessels to fit off-the-shelf components, we design components to fit our operational requirements:
- Sensor enclosures — waterproof housings for electronics and instrumentation
- Antenna mounts — optimised positioning for GPS, telemetry, and communication systems
- Battery compartments — secure, accessible power system integration
- Structural brackets — custom mounting solutions for autopilots and payload equipment
This approach dramatically reduces development time and enables rapid iteration when testing reveals opportunities for improvement.