Exploring Beyond 200 Meters with Advanced Marine Technologies

Lake Iseo, one of Italy’s deepest and most fascinating lakes, is becoming a strategic testing ground for next-generation underwater exploration technologies. Following the recent success of the drone light show above its waters, attention now turns beneath the surface, where innovative underwater drones, autonomous marine vehicles, and humanoid robots are preparing to redefine the future of underwater operations.

The initiative, known as DeepSphere, was officially presented at the Tourist Information Center of Peschiera Maraglio on Monte Isola. The project is led by Roberto Navoni, founder of Laser Navigation, in collaboration with the Gruppo Sub Monte Isola, headed by Massimo Ziliani.

Why Lake Iseo?

The selection of Lake Iseo was based on precise scientific and operational criteria.

With depths exceeding 250 meters, the lake offers an ideal environment for testing underwater technologies under conditions comparable to those found in the open sea, while maintaining significantly lower operational costs and simpler logistics.

According to Roberto Navoni:

“We selected Lake Iseo after extensive scientific evaluation. Its depth allows us to validate our technologies at depths beyond 200 meters without the need for long offshore navigation, making experimentation more efficient and accessible.”

This unique environment enables rapid testing, iterative development, and real-world validation of advanced robotic systems intended for challenging underwater missions.

Mission Objectives

The DeepSphere program focuses on the development and testing of technologies for:

• Search and rescue operations
• Missing person recovery
• Detection and inspection of underwater wrecks
• Environmental monitoring of lake ecosystems
• Infrastructure inspection
• Scientific exploration of deep-water environments

The project integrates autonomous and remotely operated systems capable of operating in complex underwater scenarios where traditional methods are often costly, dangerous, or inefficient.

Collaboration with CIM: Accelerating Marine Robotics Innovation

A key partner in the initiative is CIM4.0 (Competence Industry Manufacturing 4.0), one of Italy’s leading technology competence centers based in Turin.

CIM has identified DeepSphere as a dedicated Marine Robotics Laboratory, supporting the development and validation of innovative technologies created by startups and industrial partners working in:

• Autonomous Surface Vehicles (ASVs)
• Underwater Drones (ROVs and AUVs)
• Marine Monitoring Systems
• Intelligent Robotics Platforms
• AI-based Navigation Technologies

The laboratory provides companies and innovators with a real-world environment where prototypes can be transformed into reliable and industrially scalable solutions.

As Roberto Navoni explains:

“DeepSphere offers a concrete opportunity for innovators developing marine, underwater, aerial, or robotic technologies to collaborate with an experienced team capable of transforming ideas into functional and reliable systems before industrialization.”

Introducing Markome: The Humanoid Robot for Marine Operations

One of the most exciting announcements during the event was the introduction of Markome, a new humanoid robot that will become part of the DeepSphere ecosystem.

Markome is being developed to support future underwater and marine operations where human-like interaction capabilities can significantly enhance mission effectiveness.

Potential applications include:

• Underwater infrastructure maintenance
• Environmental monitoring
• Scientific research support
• Disaster response and rescue operations
• Human-robot collaboration aboard vessels

Current development activities focus on improving balance control, mobility, and operational stability while working onboard research and support vessels.

The integration of humanoid robotics into marine environments represents an innovative step toward the next generation of intelligent autonomous systems.

Strategic Partnership with Gruppo Sub Monte Isola

Another important factor behind the selection of Monte Isola is the presence of the highly experienced Gruppo Sub Monte Isola Civil Protection Team.

The organization operates advanced diving and rescue equipment, including one of the most technologically equipped operational vessels in Italy.

This partnership provides invaluable expertise, field support, and operational knowledge, creating an ideal environment for testing advanced underwater systems under realistic conditions.

The collaboration bridges academic research, industrial innovation, and real-world operational experience, accelerating the deployment of practical solutions for underwater exploration and rescue.

Building the Future of Marine Robotics

Through DeepSphere, Monte Isola is positioning itself as a center of excellence for marine robotics, underwater exploration, and autonomous systems development.

By combining artificial intelligence, autonomous navigation, underwater drones, humanoid robotics, and advanced sensing technologies, the project aims to create a unique innovation ecosystem capable of supporting both research institutions and industrial partners.

As the program expands, DeepSphere will continue to serve as a platform where groundbreaking technologies can be tested, validated, and transformed into real-world solutions for the challenges of underwater exploration, environmental monitoring, and maritime safety.

About DeepSphere

DeepSphere is an innovation initiative focused on marine robotics, autonomous systems, artificial intelligence, underwater exploration, and advanced sensing technologies. The project provides a real-world testing environment for researchers, startups, and industrial partners developing next-generation solutions for underwater, surface, terrestrial, and aerial operations.

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