Aeolus

The AEOLUS programme was a joint collaboration between a number of prominent organisations in Ireland, to develop AEOLUS, a mid-altitude surveillance platform for use in security, health and safety operations.

The overall goal of the project was to increase the application of advanced technology by the Irish Naval Services (INS) to enhance
its operational effectiveness and efficiency. The main objectives by which that goal has to achieved are: integrating airborne technology on an INS ship to reduce fuel consumption, utilising the kite elevation to increase surveillance capabilities for the vessel below, and using a mid-altitude sensor platform that is attached to the kite to help in security, search & rescue and
environmental monitoring applications. 

The mid-altitude sensor platform, funded under Enterprise Ireland’s Commercialisation Fund, has been primarily operated in a marine setting. As such, it has been subjected to particularly harsh conditions such as high gusty winds, driving rain, direct strong sunlight, significant temperature variations, etc. It is essential to test and trial the platform in the operating environment to ensure it’s reliability and high performance. 
The following partners were participating in the development and the testing of the system: the Centre for Robotics & Intelligent Systems  based at the University of Limerick (former MMRRC), Nimbus Centre for Embedded Systems and Halpin Centre for Research and Innovation at NMCI, both based out of Cork Institute of Technology, the Irish Defence Forces, Enterprise Ireland, the
Sustainable Energy Authority of Ireland and Irish Maritime and Energy Resource Cluster.