Follow Portugal Immigration and Life in Portugal: According to reports from the China National Defense Science and Technology Information Network, a dual-use research project in Portugal supported by the European Defence Agency (EDA) is currently conducting energy-saving technology tests for underwater robots. This technology will enable unmanned underwater systems and underwater robots to operate at a lower cost and increase their operational effectiveness.
European Defence Agency officials stated that this technology can be used for mine searching, as well as in civilian fields such as exploration, scientific data collection, and fisheries. The project is scheduled for delivery in June 2015.
The project, named "Sea Turtle," is being jointly developed by a research group consisting of Portuguese small and medium-sized enterprises, research institutes, and universities, including the Portuguese Naval Research Center (CINAV), with the aim of developing energy-saving technologies for dual-use underwater robots.
"Sea Turtle" is the first of seven dual-use research projects supported by the European Defence Agency and the first dual-use research project to receive funding from the European Union Structural Funds. This fund provides 60% of the project's funding (approximately 1.1 million USD). Military research projects can only receive this fund if they possess application value in the civilian sector.
The European Defence Agency hopes to enhance Europe's innovation capabilities through this dual-use project research while retaining key technologies and industrial production capabilities.
