The Centre for Robotics and Intelligent Systems (CRIS) was delighted to be part of the Irish delegation at SeaTech Week 2024, which took place from October 15-17 in Brest, France. SeaTech Week is one of the largest international events focused on marine and maritime science and technology, drawing over 1,200 top experts from around the world to discuss the latest advancements in ocean-related fields.
Organised by Technopôle Brest-Iroise through Campus mondial de la mer, SeaTech Week has played a key role in fostering international research and business collaboration in marine science for more than 20 years. This year, Ireland was honored as the “Country of Honour,” with a focus on maritime safety and security, making it an important occasion for the Irish delegation to showcase its expertise and innovations in marine technology.
Over the course of three days, CRIS engaged in numerous discussions around marine innovation, cybersecurity, and offshore technology, while exploring new opportunities for international collaboration in the blue economy.
CRIS Highlights at SeaTech Week:
Gerard Dooly, co-director of CRIS, presented the centre’s ongoing EU projects and capabilities at a French-Irish workshop aimed at enhancing Franco-Irish collaboration in the blue economy. The workshop, organized by Fiona Grant from the Marine Institute and Jean-Michel Portefaix of Expertise France and Enterprise Ireland, focused on funding opportunities to support innovation in marine science and technology. He also highlighted CRIS’s cutting-edge research in drone technology at a workshop dedicated to innovative drone and autonomous vehicle applications in marine environments, organized by IIT Goa, India.
The CRIS team was represented by Isela Ibrahimovic and Gerard Dooly, who worked alongside other Irish representatives from Enterprise Ireland, the Marine Institute, the Irish Maritime Development Office (IMDO), and the National Maritime College of Ireland (NMCI).
Special thanks were extended to the Embassy of Ireland in France for coordinating the Irish delegation and facilitating CRIS’s participation, as well as to Campus mondial de la mer for organizing a highly engaging and productive SeaTech Week.
