OTC-MotionProbe project develops autonomous modular in-situ sensor system for motion, pressure and temperature at Warnow River jetty; prototype validated in real-world offshore tests

OTC-MotionProbe project develops autonomous modular in-situ sensor system for motion, pressure and temperature at Warnow River jetty; prototype validated in real-world offshore tests

OTC-MotionProbe - Fraunhofer IGD

The OTC-MotionProbe project aimed to develop an autonomous, modular in-situ sensor system for recording object movements under the influence of waves and currents. Over the course of the project from 2021 to 2024, a prototype sensor system was developed that records motion, pressure and temperature data in an energy-efficient manner and can be flexibly integrated into further maritime applications. The system was tested under real-world conditions, initially at a jetty facility on the Warnow River and subsequently at the Digital Ocean Lab offshore test site.

Underwater objects and maritime infrastructure are continuously exposed to waves and currents, yet reliably measuring their movements is technically challenging. OTC-MotionProbe developed an autonomous, modular and expandable sensor system that can record motion, pressure and temperature data in situ with low energy consumption. Fraunhofer IGD Rostock contributed its expertise to the planning and implementation of the practical trials. Testing was initially carried out under controlled conditions on the Warnow River and subsequently at the Digital Ocean Lab offshore test site. The result is a prototype system with potential future applications including the monitoring of offshore structures.

The movements of underwater objects and maritime structures provide important information about loads, stability and environmental conditions. Recording these movements, however, is technically challenging – particularly when sensor systems need to be compact, energy-efficient and capable of autonomous operation over extended periods. OTC-MotionProbe therefore aimed to develop a modular in-situ sensor system that reliably records movements caused by waves and currents while allowing additional sensors to be integrated flexibly.

Approach and Division of Responsibilities

Several partners collaborated on the development of the system. Fraunhofer IOSB-AST coordinated the project, defined the requirements together with the consortium and developed the sensors for pressure and temperature measurement. Fraunhofer IOSB developed the algorithms for orientation and motion estimation, while Fraunhofer IKTS implemented the hardware platform for autonomous data acquisition, including the power supply, interfaces and firmware. Fraunhofer IGD Rostock planned the system trials under real-world operating conditions, provided suitable test environments at the jetty facility on the Warnow River and at the Digital Ocean Lab , and conducted the onshore and offshore tests. This enabled the prototype to be validated step by step under realistic operating conditions.

OTC-MotionProbe resulted in a prototype sensor system capable of autonomously and energy-efficiently recording object movements under the influence of waves and currents. A key advantage is its modular architecture: in addition to motion data, pressure and temperature information can also be integrated and used for a range of application scenarios. Practical trials at the jetty facility on the Warnow River and at the Digital Ocean Lab offshore test site enabled the system to be validated under real-world conditions.