Product Spotlight: USVSTAR for Autonomous Environmental & Coastal Research

AGISTAR has developed the USVSTAR, a compact and configurable unmanned surface vessel (USV) designed to deliver reliable water quality monitoring, bathymetric surveying, and environmental data collection across both shallow and open-water conditions.

Combining stable operation, precision sampling, and rapid deployment, the USVSTAR supports research and environmental management tasks in a wide range of aquatic environments.

Operational Stability in Marine Environments

Engineered for consistent performance in variable sea states, the USVSTAR maintains steady navigation even in turbulent conditions. Its waterproof hull and durable PVC side buoys protect onboard sensors and instruments, ensuring continued operation during extended missions. Capable of speeds up to 3 m/s, the vessel efficiently covers broad survey areas while sustaining precise positional control for accurate measurements.

Robotic Sampling System and Dual Bottle Architecture

The platform incorporates a rear-mounted robotic arm that enables remote, targeted water sampling from predefined locations or depths. Two side-mounted collection bottles allow simultaneous sampling, reducing mission time and supporting comprehensive environmental analysis without manual handling.

Modular Adaptability and Core Applications

The USVSTAR’s modular design supports integration of a wide range of instruments and sensors, allowing configuration for specialized applications. Typical use cases include:

• Water quality monitoring of turbidity, temperature, pH, dissolved oxygen, and contaminants
• Ecological studies in coastal and inland water systems
• Pollution tracking and rapid spill response
• Bathymetric and hydrographic survey operations
• Support for research logistics and instrumentation deployment

This flexibility enables research organizations and environmental agencies to tailor each mission to specific operational requirements, ensuring consistent, repeatable performance across disciplines.

Access to Shallow and Sensitive Water Zones

With its shallow draft and compact footprint, the USVSTAR can operate safely in estuaries, mangroves, coral reef systems, and other ecologically sensitive regions. This accessibility allows researchers to gather essential data in habitats that are typically inaccessible to conventional crewed vessels, minimizing ecological disruption while maximizing spatial coverage.

Rapid Field Deployment and Portability

Designed for efficient field operations, the USVSTAR can be assembled in approximately five minutes and transported in a single case. Its lightweight construction enables easy handling by small teams, facilitating quick response to environmental events such as contamination incidents or sudden changes in water conditions.