Perkoz, Rybitwa, and now... Zimorodek! SimLE is working on a new watercraft. | Faculty of Mechanical Engineering and Ship Technology at the Gdańsk University of Technology
Perkoz, Rybitwa, and now... Zimorodek! SimLE is working on a new watercraft.
Even more advanced, created using 3D printing technology, equipped with new sensors and onboard computers. Students from the SimLE Student Club are developing a new autonomous watercraft named ASV Zimorodek.
Students from SimLE are designing a vehicle for the RoboBoat competition, an international student event held annually in Sarasota, Florida. Teams from around the world design autonomous robotic boats to navigate a challenging course.
A Quality Leap
So far, the students have constructed two such vehicles: ASV Perkoz and ASV Rybitwa. One significant innovation for the new craft is that Zimorodek will not be built using laminate. Instead, the students will manufacture the hull using 3D printing technology.
“ASV Zimorodek will be equipped with new sensors, updated computers, enhanced power system components, and even more advanced algorithms. However, we decided to retain much of the architecture from the previous vehicle's system, as it performed exceptionally well during testing. Our efforts are also supported by partners such as CentralPoint, Forelectronic, Solectroshop, and AQ Wiring STG,” said Igor Rusiecki, coordinator of the SeaSentinel programme under which the new vehicle is being developed.
Zimorodek is a modular platform that can be integrated with devices designed for missions of various profiles, such as monitoring water quality.
Launching Soon
Work on Zimorodek is in full swing, having begun last year immediately after returning from the RoboBoat 2024 competition.
“We drew conclusions from the operation of the previous vehicle, carefully defined the mission and functions of the new vehicle, and formulated the requirements for ASV Zimorodek. These served as the basis for creating the concept of the entire system. The next step was designing the new craft, and it is now in production. We anticipate launching Zimorodek at the beginning of February,” added Igor Rusiecki.
Prace nad ASV Zimorodek
Upcoming Competitions
The SeaSentinel team will participate in the RoboBoat 2025 competition in the United States, the world championships for building small autonomous watercraft. This year, as many as 30 teams from across the globe will compete.
If the students manage to secure sufficient funding, they also plan to take part in another competition – Njord, held in Norway.
