CRIS - Centre for Robotics & Intelligent Systems

We were delighted to be part of the Ireland–Estonia–Finland Smart Futures Forum this week.

Our Founding Director, Danial Toal, represented the University of Limerick and our centre as a panelist in the Martime Digitalisation segment, contributing to discussions on how data, technology, and innovation are transforming maritime environments — from ports and estuaries to offshore energy systems.

The Edge provided a valuable platform to connect our work with broader European priorities. As highlighted throughout the event, the intersection of digital and energy systems is critical — particularly as Ireland strengthens collaboration with Estonia, Finland, and other Digital 9+ nations under the Nordic Baltic Strategy.
Maritime digitalisation plays a key role in this ecosystem:
🔹 Enabling secure, data-driven offshore energy development
🔹 Supporting resilient and transparent supply chains
🔹 Enhancing monitoring and protection of critical infrastructure
🔹 Driving innovation across smart ports and coastal systems

With Ireland’s upcoming EU Presidency, there is a real opportunity to scale collaboration, align policy, and accelerate innovation across the maritime and energy sectors.

A special thanks to Julie Long, Honorary Consul for Estonia in the Midwest, for the kind invitation and for organising such a wonderful event.
Great discussions, valuable connections, and plenty of momentum to build on.

, , , , , , , , Electronic and Computer Engineering Department UL, Faculty of Science & Engineering at University of Limerick

Last week, we were delighted to welcome primary school students and their teachers to our labs for a two-day visit. It was a fantastic opportunity for them to experience robotics and engineering up close.
Students had the chance to get hands-on with a range of robotics platforms—from field robots and UAVs to small unmanned surface vehicles—seeing first-hand how these technologies work in real-world applications.

The CRIS Team, led by Prof. Ger Dooly, delivered a series of interactive demonstrations, giving students a glimpse into the exciting world of robotics and technology. Their curiosity, enthusiasm, and eagerness to learn were truly inspiring.

A big thank you to everyone involved in making this outreach activity such a success. Encouraging the next generation of innovators is at the heart of what we do.

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Advancing Robotics for Ireland’s Future! An Taoiseach Micheál Martin visited CRIS

Last Friday, the Centre for Robotics & Intelligent Systems (CRIS) at University of Limerick was delighted to welcome An Taoiseach Micheál Martin for a briefing on our latest innovations in marine and aerial robotics.
The visit highlighted CRIS’s ongoing efforts to promote the future of marine and aerial robotics and its importance for Ireland’s strategic research and service ecosystem.

The Taoiseach met with the CRIS team, led by Prof. Daniel Toal, and heard presentations from team members on how our robotics platforms are supporting national priorities, including:
🔹 Offshore renewable energy
🔹 Maritime security
🔹 Environmental and biodiversity monitoring
🔹 Climate resilience
🔹 Emergency and search-and-rescue operations

The visit also included a tour of our labs, where the Taoiseach saw cutting-edge technologies applied in real-world operations at sea, including seabed exploration, offshore wind support, environmental and biodiversity monitoring, and other robotics applications addressing complex national challenges.

Mr. Martin said he was “delighted to meet the team at CRIS… These technologies will shape how we protect our waters, safeguard renewable energy, and respond to global challenges.”

Prof. Toal highlighted the team’s collaborations with national agencies, including the Irish Navy and Marine Institute, and their ongoing commitment to mission-driven robotics research.

🌊 CRIS—Innovating field robotics for a sustainable, secure, and resilient Ireland.

, , , , , , , EElectronic and Computer Engineering Department UL FFaculty of Science & Engineering at University of Limerick
Pictures: Brian Arthur

The AEROSUB project was showcased at the Workshop (4–5th June), held in Trondheim, Norway and hosted by the Department of Marine Technology (IMT) at NTNU. This EU-funded event brought together leading voices in marine robotics and creating an inspiring forum for collaboration and innovation.

Representing the Centre for Robotics and Intelligent Systems (CRIS), Edin Omerdic and Isela Ibrahimovic presented ’s innovative approach to autonomous robotic systems for the operation and maintenance of both fixed and floating offshore wind farms. The project aims to deliver smarter, more sustainable solutions that address the complex challenges of offshore environments, advancing the future of renewable energy and intelligent systems.

We extend our sincere thanks to our hosts at for organising such a fantastic event. It was a pleasure to connect with fellow researchers, share insights, and contribute to the exciting dialogue shaping the future of marine robotics.

We look forward to reconnecting with the marine robotics community at in Lisbon!

, , , , , , , , , , Electronic and Computer Engineering Department UL

We would like to extend our warm congratulations to our PhD student Cillian Fahy, on winning the “Thesis in Three” competition at the Wind Energy Ireland Offshore Conference 2025.🌊

Cillian presented his doctoral research in just three minutes on stage to an audience of offshore wind energy professionals, researchers, and industry stakeholders.
His presentation, titled:
"How can AI help speed up robotic surveys of Floating Offshore Wind? – Developing New Underwater AI Algorithms for Real-Time Data Analysis, Mission Planning, and Investigations" highlighted innovative ways in which artificial intelligence can improve the speed and efficiency of underwater robotic surveys used in floating offshore wind projects.
The audience voted Cillian as the winner, recognising both the relevance and potential impact of his research in the growing field of offshore renewable energy. This award is a testament to Cillian’s hard work, as well as the strength of the research being carried out at CRIS.

Well done, Cillian – we are proud to celebrate this achievement with you.👏👏

Marine Institute - Foras na Mara, Electronic and Computer Engineering Department UL, , ,

Last week, we had the pleasure of participating in European Maritime Day (EMD) 2025, one of Europe’s premier events celebrating the blue economy and innovation in the maritime sector.

The event brought together researchers, policymakers, industry leaders, and stakeholders from across Europe, creating a vibrant space for networking, knowledge-sharing, and collaboration. It was a fantastic opportunity for the CRIS team to connect with peers and contribute to important conversations around sustainable marine development.

We were proud to showcase some of our latest technology developments, including advanced tools for offshore monitoring and systems designed to support more sustainable and efficient marine operations. These innovations reflect our commitment to developing intelligent, autonomous solutions that can enhance safety, reduce environmental impact, and drive innovation across the sector.

A huge thank you to the CRIS team—Gerard Dooly, Isela Ibrahimovic, and Ben Bartlett—for representing our work and engaging with such enthusiasm throughout the event.

We are proud to be part of this dynamic and forward-looking maritime community, and we look forward to building on the conversations and collaborations sparked at EMD 2025.

, , , , , , , Electronic and Computer Engineering Department UL,

🎉 What an exciting two days at the IEEE 8 Robotics Competition in Malta!

At CRIS, we are beyond proud to support the UL IEEE Student Branch BRIS team and our talented PhD students in this thrilling event.

✨ We’re delighted to announce that BRIS team has triumphed with a triple win! 🏆
🏅 Best Overall Award
🏅 Best Manoeuvrability
🏅 Best Pushing Power

🙌 A huge congratulations to Marco Moreno, Ben Bartlett, Tom D., Matheus Cardoso, and Petar Trslić, PhD – your innovation, skill, and teamwork have shone brightly, showcasing the very best of UL. 💪👏

Over two intense days, the BRIS team faced fierce competition and demonstrated technical brilliance across multiple challenges, including precise navigation, agile maneuverability, and unmatched pushing power. The atmosphere was electric with innovation and teamwork on full display.

💡 What made this success possible? Stay tuned in the coming days as the BRIS team will share how they prepared for this milestone – from concept to creation, teamwork, and problem-solving.

Missed the action? Don't worry! The full two-day competition is available to watch:
Day 1 - https://lnkd.in/dZvbzdt9
Day 2 - https://lnkd.in/dNwFYjRQ
Relive the excitement and see how BRIS made their mark on this prestigious event.

None of this would have been possible without the support of Ger Dooly. A huge thank also, Eoin O'Connell, Lubna Luxmi Dhirani, Electronic and Computer Engineering Department UL

Well done also to the organisers IEEE Region 8 (Europe, Middle East & Africa) and University of Malta. 👏

🙌 , , , , , , University of Limerick, Mechatronic Engineering University of Limerick.

We had a fantastic two days at the Wind Energy Ireland Trade Show this week! It was a pleasure to exhibit and engage in insightful discussions on Ireland’s offshore wind ambitions and the technology challenges that lie ahead. 💡

Gerard Dooly, CRIS co-director, presented our latest advancements in bird monitoring technology—an important focus for reducing environmental impact in wind energy. 🌍 We also showcased the intervention, repair, and maintenance surveys conducted at OW Ocean Winds , the world’s first semi-submersible floating offshore wind farm, along with other recent offshore operations we have carried out. ⚙️

Huge thanks to the UL CRIS team—Daniel Toal, Ger Dooly, Edin Omerdic, Petar Trslic, Phillipe Santos, and Isela Ibrahimovic—for representing our work, and to the organiser for a great event .
Looking forward for other exciting opportunities!

, , , , Electronic and Computer Engineering Department UL, SFI Research Centre for Energy, Climate and Marine

Excited to be part of the Irish Pavilion at Seathec week Brest. Looking forward to showcasing our research and expertise.
Special thanks to the Irish Foreign Ministry and the Paris Embassy for coordinating this incredible opportunity!

We were excited to participate in the OCEANS2024 Halifax 🌊 conference and exhibition this week! The event offered a fantastic opportunity to network and reconnect with members of the OCEANS community. With over 100 exhibitors and more than 2,000 attendees, the event was buzzing with energy and excitement!

The CRIS team members, Prof. Daniel Toal and PhD student Cillian Fahy, presented our latest research advancements through the following papers:
Fault-tolerant SCADA for UAVs In Inaccessible Environments, main author PhD student Kanishk Vishwakarma
AND
Automated Detection of Sacrificial Anodes on Offshore Windfarms for ROV Inspections, main author PhD student Cillian Fahy

Well done to Cillian and Kanishk! 👏

A big thank you to the organisers for putting together such an excellent event.

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, Electronic and Computer Engineering Department UL,

Congratulations to our team member, Matheus Cardoso on earning his PhD! Well done to you and your supervisors, Ger Dooly and Petar Trslić.
We wish you every success in the future!
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