| Short Name: IQUA |  |
| Country: Spain |
Description
IQUA Robotics SL (IQUA) is a spin off company from the University of Girona (UdG). The company is led by two entrepreneurs: Marc Carreras and Pere Ridao, both IP researchers of the projects where the technology that IQUA commercializes was created. The UdG is also a shareholder. Initially, two technologies have been licensed exclusively to the company, both invented entirely by the Underwater Robotics Research Center (CIRS) of the Computer Vision and Robotics Research Institute (ViCOROB) of the UdG, both of them in a pre-commercial stage of development: the Girona 500 AUV and Sparus II AUV. The company’s goal is to become the reference manufacturer of autonomous underwater robots in southern Europe with a well-defined business strategy and being recognized for its quality in manufacturing and innovation.
The underwater robotics market is niche. There are few international producers who specialize in making specific robot models, with rigid configurations (very low flexibility). In addition, technologies are very expensive which difficulties the penetration of certain market segments that lack of the resources to access to them.
The business model of IQUA focuses on the development of autonomous underwater robots at a competitive price, having a flexible configuration and performance similar to higher-end units. The company has first approached a market that it knows very well (the research centers in various disciplines), and at medium term, other markets where these technologies are already accepted: oil industry, mining, security, surveillance, among others. The robots’ sales will be complemented by a series of complementary services in engineering, training and integration of equipment and adaptations.
Role
IQUA will undertake activities in WP3 Joint Research Activities, and WP7 Innovation Management and Exploitation.
Iqua Robotics participates in the WP3 JRA Work Package in multiple autonomous vehicle cooperation, in particular in the area of cooperative AUV/ASV navigation and guidance in shallow water applications.
AUVs: GIRONA 500 AUV and SPARUS II AUV. See detailed descriptions below under ‘Projects, Products, Services, Activities, or Achievements relevant to the proposed project’.
