Coastal and offshore vehicle to study ocean habitats

A coastal and offshore ASV (Autonomous Surface Vehicle) with a range of 2,500 nautical miles is amongst the projects announced as recipients of government funding.

On Wednesday, Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science, James Lawless confirmed a €17.7 million investment in nine research infrastructure projects through Research Ireland‘s Research Infrastructure Programme.

Led by the University of Limerick, the 9-metre long Coastal & Offshore ASV is expected to enhance Ireland’s marine science capabilities, bridge data gaps, and improve our understanding of ocean habitats.

Funding totalling more than €1.85 million has been allocated for the project.

Professor Gerard Dooly who is Co-Director of UL’s Centre for Robotics and Intelligent Systems (CRIS) and a member of Lero Research Ireland Centre for Software hosted by University of Limerick said this investment is a game-changer for our research centre and for marine science across Ireland.

Separately, almost €2m has been allocated to Teagasc for the “National Enteric Methane Mitigation Testbed” project.

The initiative will develop strategies to reduce methane emissions from ruminant animals, contributing to climate change mitigation.

Minister Lawless said, “It is important for researchers to be equipped with the innovative tools and the conducive environments that can help deliver research excellence and impact.”

According to Celine Fitzgerald, Interim Chief Executive of Research Ireland, “The Research Infrastructure Programme encourages partnerships and collaboration between different cohorts of researchers in Ireland, across academia and enterprise.”

Details of the nine funded projects, which have been awarded to University of Limerick (UL), University College Dublin (UCD), Trinity College Dublin (TCD), Teagasc, and Dublin City University (DCU), can be found here.