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ECHO BLUE
SOLAR-POWERED USVS
EchoBlue is a floating, non-intrusive
and eco-responsible marine drone
designed for acoustic and visual
monitoring of dolphins, particularly
in fishing areas where interactions
between cetaceans and human
activities can pose risks. It is a
hybrid object, at the crossroads of
design, science, and marine
conservation, which meets a
concrete need – to make visible
and measurable an often-ignored
reality– that of interactions between
cetaceans and industrial fishing.
A BIO-INSPIRED DESIGN
APPROACH
The drone's shape is part of a
biomorphic approach. Its fluid lines,
compact dimensions and dorsal fin
directly evoke the silhouette of a
dolphin, facilitating its integration
into the marine environment while
optimising its hydrodynamics.
Its surface is covered with a layer of
soft silicone that replicates the
texture of dolphin skin using
biomimicry. This discreet and
environmentally friendly coating
reduces visual and acoustic
disturbances in the marine
ecosystem.
A DISCREET AND AUTONOMOUS
DEVICE:
The drone flies along the water's
surface following a pre-
programmed route. At certain key
points, it stops to record sounds
emitted by the hydrophone down
to a depth of 15m. A surface
camera and an underwater camera
complete the visual data collection.
The system operates using solar
panels, emitting no noise or direct
interaction with wildlife.
The EchoBlue
developer
Célia
Granjeaud