- Leitat’s Digital Industry team designed and developed a sensor that enables real-time detection of microplastics during the Copa del Rey Sailing Cup
- As part of Telefónica Tech’s operational sustainability initiative, an autonomous electric aquatic drone will also be deployed to collect marine waste
The Real Club Náutico de Palma, in collaboration with Telefónica Tech, has implemented a pilot project during the Copa del Rey Sailing Cup, which includes an aquatic drone to collect and process floating waste and a microplastic sensor developed by Leitat to automatically measure and classify these pollutants.
Leitat’s Digital Industry area designed and validated the sensor within the Horizon Europe project called ILIAD, adapting it to operate under real marine conditions. This device can distinguish microplastics from natural particles such as sand or plankton, segmenting, classifying, and measuring microplastics using photonic technology, computer vision, and artificial intelligence. All data will be transmitted in real time via IoT connectivity to an operational monitoring platform.
“For Leitat, the development of these sensors showcases the potential of digital technologies applied to environmental sustainability,” says Jordi Cabrafiga, CEO of Leitat.
As part of Telefónica Tech’s operational sustainability initiative, a 100% electric autonomous aquatic drone will also be deployed. With up to eight hours of autonomy and a range of 24 kilometers, and equipped with IoT connectivity, this drone can collect up to 500 kg of floating waste daily. Featuring a video camera and LiDAR sensors to map the environment in 3D and follow preconfigured routes, the collected waste will be stored for recovery by the local waste management company Tirme, aiming to promote reuse or recycling.
The combination of the IoT-connected drone and the smart sensor developed by Leitat enables real-time data collection that facilitates operational decision-making regarding waste collection and management. This innovative project will run for one month, covering the Copa del Rey Sailing Cup which is being held in Palma from July 26 to August 2.
Technology serving the circular economy
This Telefónica Tech initiative for the Real Club Náutico de Palma reaffirms Leitat’s commitment to collaborating on innovative projects, aligning cutting-edge technology with environmental protection and circular economy goals. Leitat has been working in this field for years, participating in various international projects such as ASTRAL, COMMONSENSE, and ODYSSEA, focused on monitoring and quantifying microplastics in the sea and coastal areas through advanced sensor networks. The sensor deployed by Telefónica Tech is an extension of this expertise applied to a high-visibility sporting event.
