Rodrigo Vega Virgili

We are living in an era where innovation is moving full sail ahead, and technology is redefining the boundaries of what’s possible every single day. At the same time, the world is awakening to a new blue consciousness, where the sustainability of seas, rivers and lakes is no longer just an environmental concern, it's a genuine opportunity for global transformation. Aquatic drones have changed the way we intervene, monitor and protect our water and marine resources. These robotic platforms are also reshaping a wide range of industries by offering smart, innovative solutions to increasingly demanding and complex challenges. What is an aquatic drone? An aquatic drone is an autonomous or semi-autonomous vehicle capable of navigating on the water’s surface or diving below it, operating without any human crew on board. There are two main types: USVs (surface vehicles) and ROVs/AUVs (underwater vehicles, either remotely operated or fully autonomous). Their technical applications are multiplying: Surface aquatic drone (USV, left) and submersible aquatic drone (ROV/AUV) Infrastructure inspection and maintenance: from ports, dams, canals and ship hulls to sewage networks, submerged pipelines, offshore platforms and marine wind turbines, these drones provide critical data on corrosion, wear and structural integrity. Smart transport and logistics: prototypes already exist that can move light cargo between boats, islands or port facilities, following predefined routes and adapting to real-time environmental conditions. Surveillance, search, rescue and recovery: with high-resolution cameras, night vision and thermal sensors, they can monitor critical areas in real time, detect risks and track currents. They also support rescue efforts using lighting, acoustic signals and communication tools, complementing human teams during emergencies. Drone used by the navy for surveillance operations. SeaDrone Environmental sampling and monitoring: equipped with advanced sensors, they can analyse water quality, microplastic levels, chemical and biological parameters, underwater habitats and wildlife migrations, paving the way for precision science and conservation projects. Aquatic drone used to locate tuna schools in open sea. SeaDrone Aquatic drones are autonomous vehicles that monitor, inspect and protect aquatic environments with precision, safety and real-time data. These machines integrate technologies such as: Submersible or high-buoyancy structures, built to withstand salinity, pressure and temperature. GPS, LiDAR, sonar and inertial measurement units (IMU) to provide reliable positioning, manoeuvrability and obstacle avoidance. Silent electric motors and high-autonomy batteries with eco-friendly propulsion systems. RGB, thermal and multispectral cameras, stabilised gimbals, wireless communications (radio, satellite or underwater acoustic) and IoT integration for real-time data transmission and management. IoT sensors that measure key water quality parameters such as pH, dissolved oxygen, temperature, turbidity, salinity and chemical or biological pollutants. These enable automated sampling in hard-to-reach areas, supporting detailed scientific studies and decision-making for sustainable ecosystem management. In this context, at Telefónica Tech we position ourselves as a key player, contributing our expertise in 5G connectivity, IoT and Big Data to maximise the impact of aquatic drones. Our value proposition lies in developing highly customisable, secure and scalable solutions: from continuous water quality monitoring to optimising intervention routes and smart infrastructure management, supporting research, industry, environmental protection and the sustainable development of coastal and inland communities. Waste-collecting aquatic drones Our vision takes shape through cutting-edge, concrete solutions that make a real difference in the fight against marine pollution. At Telefónica Tech, we’re driving innovative projects such as 100% electric aquatic drones for plastic collection, combining advanced technology, IoT sensors and 5G connectivity to monitor and clean marine ecosystems efficiently and sustainably. These initiatives reflect our commitment to a cleaner, healthier future, where technology becomes a catalyst for positive impact and real environmental transformation. Aquatic drone for waste and plastic collection This aquatic drone is a small autonomous surface vessel designed to operate in ports, urban waterways, rivers and lakes. Its waste collection system includes a removable basket with a 160-litre or 60-kg capacity, collecting up to 500 kg of waste per day, depending on the density of waste and environmental conditions. Capable of collecting up to 500 kg of waste daily while monitoring water health in real time. Operating principles and technological capabilities Integrated sensors measure key water quality parameters such as temperature, oxygen levels, pH, turbidity, chlorophyll concentration and depth. This data is transmitted in real time through our 5G connectivity from Telefónica Tech, enabling continuous, up-to-date monitoring of aquatic ecosystems. Monitoring capabilities can also be expanded and customised based on the types of sensors installed on the drone. This allows the system to adapt to specific use cases and needs, whether it’s measuring particular contaminants, assessing habitat health or tracking specific environmental parameters in detail. This level of flexibility and precision in data collection enables better-informed, real-time decision-making for water management and conservation, allowing for faster and more efficient responses to environmental risks or disruptions. Temperature and depth sensors, among others. Ran Marine Equipped with 5G, GPS and LiDAR, the drone can operate autonomously or remotely, with programmable routes and obstacle avoidance capabilities. It can reach a speed of 3 km/h, operate for up to 8 hours, and cover up to 24 km on a single charge. GPS and LiDAR systems for obstacle detection and avoidance. Ran Marine Data flows efficiently from the drone to the cloud via our 5G connectivity, with visualisation through dashboards and FIWARE-ready APIs for seamless integration into existing platforms. This enables monitoring of environmental KPIs, route planning, drone status and service level agreement (SLA) compliance. Example of aquatic drone route planning in Los Alcázares Advantages of aquatic drones over traditional cleaning methods This technology not only optimises costs and resources, it also delivers a faster, more consistent environmental impact, with the ability to adapt to various settings and specific cleaning needs. Aquatic drones therefore represent an evolution in sustainable and effective marine waste management compared to traditional cleaning methods, which rely heavily on manual labour and conventional boats with significant limitations in terms of reach, frequency and safety. Conventional methods are often expensive, slow and highly dependent on weather and logistics, limiting their efficiency and continuity. In contrast, aquatic drones allow for continuous, autonomous and efficient operation, capable of covering large areas with precision and real-time response. Aquatic drones eliminate the need for direct human exposure in polluted areas, significantly improving occupational safety. Key benefits Direct impact: up to 500 kg of waste removed daily without disrupting port traffic. Data-driven decisions: 24/7 water quality monitoring to support discharge plans and ESG reporting. Safety and compliance: unmanned operation in hazardous areas, aligned with the EU Water Framework Directive. Cost efficiency: lower operational costs compared to traditional vessels and manual labour. Brand image: strengthened sustainability goals, attracting responsible tourism. Reduced ecological footprint: less plastic pollution and real-time environmental impact assessment. Use cases Commercial and recreational ports Municipalities with rivers or urban canals Natural parks Industrial and energy sites Coastal resorts and private marinas Aquaculture areas IoT and 5G connectivity for efficient data transmission in aquatic drones Aquatic drones designed for waste collection are a high-value tool for improving water quality and restoring marine ecosystems. But their true potential is unlocked when they are equipped with advanced cellular connectivity, especially 5G. With this technology, aquatic drones can transmit in real time all data gathered by their sensors such as pH, temperature, oxygen levels, turbidity and pollutant presence directly to Cloud platforms for continuous analysis, monitoring and traceability. 5G connectivity turns aquatic drones into intelligent platforms capable of operating, transmitting data and making decisions in real time. 5G not only enables efficient transmission of large volumes of data, it also makes it possible to automate deployments and plan smart routes from centralised platforms. No more dependence on limited radio remote control: now systems can load predefined routes, adjust parameters in real time and carry out remotely controlled missions, even from distant locations, boosting flexibility and reducing direct human involvement in complex or hazardous environments. 5G connectivity enhances aquatic drone capabilities In addition, 5G enables strategic remote control of these drones from any location, allowing expert remote support and collaborative deployment of multiple units for coordinated operations. By adding computer vision and AI capabilities, all collected data, visual, environmental and operational, is fed into centralised databases to enable advanced analytics, automated responses and informed decision-making based on real-time Big Data insights. Our value proposition: reliability, secure connectivity and customisation At Telefónica Tech, we provide maximum reliability and security in critical connectivity with low latency, ensuring data protection and confidentiality from the drone to the customer’s cloud. Our technology and expertise allow us to analyse each use case and design the best-fit architecture for robust data transmission —no dropouts, no data loss, and fully protected against external threats. This combination of IoT, 5G, AI and Cloud technologies boosts the efficiency of environmental management and opens the door to circular economy models and marine sustainability, setting new standards and opportunities in digitalisation. At Telefónica Tech, we provide secure connectivity, low latency and tailored solutions to maximise positive environmental impact.

Every year, millions of tons of plastic pollute marine ecosystems, harming their biodiversity. This situation threatens marine life and has a negative impact on our biosphere and health. A large portion of plastic waste (bottles, bags, packaging...) in the oceans originates from land-based activities. Its decomposition can take decades or even centuries. During that time, factors like wave action, photodegradation, wind and weather fragment and transform these materials into microplastics. Impact of microplastics on human health Microplastics are tiny plastic particles resulting from the degradation of larger plastic products, whether on land or directly in the sea, as well as from intentional manufacturing for cosmetics and industrial goods. These particles can evade water treatment systems and infiltrate ecosystems and the food chain. Their presence in water, fish and agricultural products, among many others, has raised growing concern about their potential impact on human health, although their long-term effects remain largely unknown. This issue challenges us to rethink how we produce and consume. But through design, technology, chemistry and biology, we are generating innovative solutions. Biodesign: a more sustainable reality In this context, biodesign is becoming increasingly relevant in how we perceive, feel and experience our future. While we’re already beginning to see this shift, its full impact will become more evident over time. As a leading voice in biodesign once said: It's about enabling the generation of materials and structures designed to interact, adapt and respond to the natural environment. ―Neri Oxman. It’s hard to summarize who Neri Oxman is without understating her work: architect, designer, researcher and professor at the MIT. She is known for her vision of how nature should be integrated with design and technology to forge a new relationship between them. Image from TED Conferences, LLC. Design at the intersection of technology and biology. One of her major contributions is the creation of Oxman, a multidisciplinary studio that goes beyond traditional design. From the outset, the studio has aimed to merge design, technology and biology in its projects. Today, we can say it has succeeded, developing initiatives focused on providing sustainable alternatives to conventional plastics. Biodesign fuses design, technology and biology to create sustainable materials that interact with ecological cycles. Aguahoja: biocompatible and biodegradable materials One of the most renowned projects that reflects the philosophy and work of Neri Oxman is Aguahoja, developed by The Mediated Matter Group, which she founded and led at the MIT Media Lab. Neri Oxman, Aguahoja, exhibited at SFMOMA. Image: Neri Oxman and The Mediated Matter Group. This project proposes alternative materials to plastic derived from natural biopolymers, such as cellulose from tree leaves, chitin from crustaceans and pectin from fruits. Additive manufacturing and biological synthesis of biomaterials were key in its development. Using robotic arms to deposit the material (like a 3D bioprinter) and parametric design, they created bio-structures with programmed behavior to decompose under specific conditions, enabling their integration into ecological cycles and avoiding pollution. Additive manufacturing and biomaterials. Image: Oxman website. The Aguahoja project uses biopolymers like cellulose and chitin to create biodegradable materials that integrate into ecological cycles. Exploring her work reveals that one sector paving the way in biodesign is fashion. Take for example Oxman’s most recent project: Project O°, which explores new ways to create textiles and footwear from PHA, a bioplastic produced and degraded by bacteria, representing a revolution in the industry. Let’s not forget that every year, millions of unsold garments are incinerated, aggravating the fashion industry's environmental problem. Oxman's O° and the future of 100% biodegradable fashion. Innovation in biodesign This approach offers a real alternative to plastics and opens the door to products that disappear without environmental impact, like the academic project by student Ari Jónsson. His results enabled the development of an alternative to PET, a thermoplastic widely used for containers like bottles due to its mechanical properties and chemical inertia. Jónsson created a biomaterial from algae powder that, when mixed with water, became gelatinous and could be molded into a bottle. Ari Jónsson, biodegradable bottle, made from algae material. In addition to being biodegradable, what makes it remarkable is that its purpose defines its lifecycle. Because it’s made from algae, the water (contained in the bottle) keeps the material stable by maintaining its moisture. But once empty, the bottle begins to degrade without harming the environment. It's essential to remove waste from the sea and give it a second life, rather than just moving the problem from point A to point B. The challenge of marine waste At this point, one key question arises: what happens with the waste already in the ocean? We've talked about advances in biodesign, but even if we stopped using plastic, the existing waste would remain. This is where product design and technology, even IoT, come into play, enabling the development of smart solutions for real-time detection, collection and monitoring of waste. Precious Plastic: a new way of understanding sustainability Who would have thought that in 2013 a “simple” final year project would make its way around the world, gaining popularity in the design community and still thriving today? Dave Hakkens created Precious Plastic, a movement that makes knowledge and tools accessible for local plastic recycling, promoting circular economy and giving waste a second life. But what exactly is this project and what makes it special? Precious Plastic is more than a project or initiative; it’s a global community of conscious individuals who want to be part of the solution —and help others join too. Precious Plastic Universe: a big bang for plastic recycling. They develop and share free blueprints, guides and tutorials for building plastic recycling machines (shredding, melting, molding, extruding), enabling anyone, individuals, workshops, schools or small businesses, to set up their own fablab. They also offer materials, tools and equipment for sale. This allows the creation of new products from what was destined to “die,” and everything can be found on their website: A Big Bang for Plastic Recycling. Precious Plastic democratizes a complex industrial process, making it possible for everyone to be part of the change. Sustainable IoT: a future already within reach Technology is a key pillar in how we tackle the challenge of marine pollution. At Telefónica Tech, we ask ourselves: how can IoT be part of the solution? At Telefónica Tech, we’ve been addressing the daily challenges of hundreds of companies through our capabilities in IoT and telecommunications technologies. Our commitment to sustainability drives us to embrace devices that are part of the solution. Aquatic drones: automating waste collection in water Aquatic drones are a great example of how innovation can make a difference. With integrated software platforms that leverage satellite imagery to preconfigure routes, these drones can autonomously navigate the water’s surface. This provides greater autonomy and automation in the process, collecting waste and plastics along the way. They can collect up to 500 kg of waste per day and operate for up to 8 hours on a single battery charge. Larger drones can achieve even higher capacities. Aquatic drone for plastic collection, AI-generated model. With LIDAR sensors onboard, which measure distances using laser pulses, drones can detect nearby objects, avoid obstacles and ensure their own safety. In addition, their functions can be significantly enhanced. For example, they could collect and classify waste to gather data on the types of debris collected. Aquatic drones not only simplify ocean cleanup, they redefine how we tackle this environmental challenge. In this context, we could rely on cameras and computer vision technologies that, powered by machine learning, detect and group floating debris based on contextual needs. Data transmission and complementary technologies These drones are equipped with sensors to measure key water quality parameters, such as temperature, pH, dissolved oxygen, contaminants, chlorophyll and conductivity. With 5G connectivity, this data is transmitted in real time to cloud platforms, enabling continuous monitoring and rapid response. Blockchain could also be used to ensure data integrity and transparency —but that’s a topic for another post. These capabilities could even allow integration with EEA (European Environment Agency) systems and applications, enhancing environmental monitoring, data collection and marine management. We must understand that the search for solutions is ongoing, and new ideas continue to emerge. At Telefónica Tech, we are committed to being part of this change and tackling both today’s and tomorrow’s challenges. Connectivity & IoT Aquatic drones: a new way to navigate toward blue sustainability January 20, 2026 Header image: Freepik.