University of Porto

The Laboratório de Sistemas e Tecnologia Subaquática (LSTS) – University of Porto is an interdisciplinary research laboratory specializing in the design, construction, and operation of unmanned underwater, surface, and air vehicles and in the development of tools and technologies for the deployment of networked vehicle systems.

Established in 1997 by researchers from different backgrounds, LSTS successfully fielded unmanned air, ground, surface, and underwater vehicles in the Atlantic and Pacific Oceans and the Mediterranean Sea, becoming one of the world's leading laboratories in networked vehicles.

Role in DiverSea

The University of Porto's main role lies within WP1, of which it is the leader. This role concerns the integration of field technologies and their application to field case studies.

In this context, a proof-of-concept framework (software, hardware, and guidelines) will be deployed in different case study areas on the Atlantic coast of Portugal, creating, establishing, and employing novel operational procedures and processes to sample mesoscale structures with autonomous systems. A new class of autonomous systems will be developed with extended operational endurance targeting the spatial and temporal scales of the studies. The software framework will enable the collection, treatment, and analysis of essential ocean and biodiversity variables during and after the scientific deployment. It will allow the fusion of model, remote, in situ, and historical data, showcasing the results via catered interfaces.

Additionally, UPorto will contribute to data sharing, citizen science, and stakeholder-related activities.

Contact

João Sousa, Professor | jtasso@fe.up.pt

University of Porto - DiverSea Partners