Research facilities

Remote Operated Vehicles (ROV)

DTU Aqua maintains and operate a small fleet of different inspection classes Remote Operated Vehicles (ROVs). These platforms are used in support of teaching and research activities under the Observation Technology research area and are integrated with modern acoustic, optical and chemical sensors enabling automation in coastal and open ocean monitoring operations.

The knowledge gained in designing and operating such systems also provides support to the design of the new research vessel Dana, which could be used as a major national flagship project on maritime technology and focus on sustainable and autonomous ocean observing systems.

Autonomous Systems Test Arena (ASTA)

To support such developments DTU Aqua has access to an arena for developing and testing surface and underwater robots. The Autonomous Systems Test Arena (ASTA) offers a world-class integrated infrastructure for testing cutting edge innovations and develop new knowledge for autonomous systems.

ASTA is the world largest indoor infrastructure (40 x 24 x 14 m) for testing mobile robot technology on land, in air, and under water. 

ASTA consists of:

• A pool (6.5 x 3.5 x 3 m) for underwater technologies.
• A 3D motion capture and tracking system (area 10 x 14 x 7 m) to experiments with cooperative robotic solutions.
• A range of robotic systems for ground, aerial and underwater operations.

ASTA was established in 2020 by DTU Electrical Engineering, DTU Aqua and DTU Space and is located at DTU Lyngby Campus.

Greenland Integrated Observing System (GIOS)

DTU Aqua contributes to the infrastructure program Greenland Integrated Observing System (GIOS) which started in 2021 for establishing and operating a coordinated network of sustainable long-term research infrastructures in and around Greenland to monitor changes in air, ice, land, and ocean conditions.

DTU Aqua is responsible of the ocean component and will develop a mooring technology for under ice observations.