Autonomous & Collaborative Systems
Multi-agent coordination for surface and underwater vehicles, swarm algorithms and resilient networked operations.
SmartMove
Intelligent Transportation Systems Laboratory
About the Laboratory
The Intelligent Transportation Systems Laboratory (SmartMove) advances autonomous maritime systems through interdisciplinary research and applications. Founded in December 2022 at the Department of Product and Systems Design Engineering of the University of the Aegean, it combines informatics, robotics, and rapid prototyping to address complex challenges in maritime technology.
Our strategic location on Syros, at the center of the Aegean's maritime routes, provides direct access to a real-world demanding environment for field tests and sea trials. Through active participation in Horizon Europe projects and close collaboration with maritime authorities, research institutions and universities in Greece and abroad, as well as technology companies, we develop solutions for safer, smarter, and more sustainable shipping.
Facilities & Capabilities
Sea Trials in Syros
Our facilities bridge concept to implementation. With our laboratories by the sea, just meters from the Aegean, we can move from design to sea trials within hours.
- Full-scale testing in real conditions, in the Aegean, with underwater or surface vessels (ROUV/ROV - Remotely Operated Underwater Vehicles, ASV - Autonomous Surface Vessels)
- Modular vehicle fleet: ASVs, ROVs, and multi-vehicle swarm systems
- Advanced sensing with LiDAR, radar, sonar, AIS sensors and environmental monitoring networks
- EU-funded projects (CREXDATA, MUSIT, SPECTRO) with real-world testbeds
- Waterfront laboratory for rapid prototyping, testing and monitoring
Research Areas
Maritime Informatics & Digital Twins
Data-driven situational awareness, decision support systems and digital twins for testing and training.
Multimodal Data Fusion & AI
Machine learning for trajectory analysis, anomaly detection and predictive maritime intelligence.
Lab Members
Faculty members, postdoctoral researchers, engineers and PhD candidates with expertise in robotics, data science and maritime systems.
Dimitris Zissis
Lab Director
Ηλίας Ξυδιάς
Αναπληρωτής Καθηγητής
Alexandros Troupiotis
Postdoctoral Researcher
Thomas Kogias
Researcher
Ioannis Kontopoulos
Researcher
Nikolas Goulas
PhD Candidate
Giannis Spiliopoulos
PhD Candidate
Dimitris Vourakidis
Intern - Researcher
Nikolaos Sapountzis
Intern - Researcher
Education
We offer cutting-edge courses, hands-on laboratories and industry-connected programs. SmartMove hosts the final year of the Autonomous Systems and Intelligent Robots (AUSIR) (opens in new tab) master's program, organizes annual intensive Summer Schools in Maritime Informatics & Robotics (opens in new tab), and involves undergraduate students in research projects for hands-on experience with real autonomous maritime systems.
Research Projects
European research projects in autonomous maritime systems, mobility data analysis and cutting-edge education.
MUSIT (opens in new tab)
Multi-sensor trajectory data analysis using AI for vessel and vehicle tracking
CREXDATA (opens in new tab)
Real-time critical situation management platform with predictive and visual analytics
SPECTRO (opens in new tab)
Double-degree master's in Cybersecurity and Robotics with 12 European universities — participation in Autonomous Systems and Intelligent Robots programme
RELAR (opens in new tab)
Remote learning and examination using Augmented Reality in maritime vocational education
Recent Publications
Selected recent works from lab members. For a complete list of publications, visit the dedicated lab website.
COLREGS-based Advanced Navigation System for Unmanned Surface Vessels (opens in new tab)
Elias Xidias, Dimitris Zissis, Giannis Spiliopoulos
Multi-Sensor Inferred Trajectories (MUSIT) for Vessel Mobility (opens in new tab)
Cyril Ray, Alexandros Troupiotis-Kapeliaris, Ioannis Kontopoulos, et al.
Vessel Trajectory Data Mining: A Review (opens in new tab)
Alexandros Troupiotis-Kapeliaris, Christos Kastrisios, Dimitris Zissis
Open Data Infrastructure
AegeaNET is our real-time sensor network for maritime and aviation monitoring covering the Aegean. It combines AIS receivers for vessel tracking with ADS-B for aircraft, providing continuous situational awareness and feeding our research with live operational data.
We share data and open-source software with research institutions and academic partners worldwide, supporting the research community and collaborative maritime research.
AegeaNET Live Map
Contact
Discover our complete research portfolio, equipment specifications, all publications, news and collaboration opportunities.