Macaronesian Digital Twin of the Ocean (DTO) to enhance innovation in Blue Economy

OCEAN-X will develop the first integrated Macaronesian Digital Twin Ocean (DTO) to improve innovation in Strategic Sectors of the Blue Economy (SE-EA). The project combines in situ and remote observation, advanced numerical modelling and artificial intelligence (AI). A coordinated fleet of autonomous, mobile and fixed marine platforms distributed across the region will generate FAIR real-time data that, together with historical series, will feed high-resolution models capable of representing scientifically and socio-economically valuable patterns and phenomena. On a unified database, OCEAN-X will develop and implement a modular DTO operational interface to improve the efficiency, sustainability and resilience of the systematic uses and management of the marine, coastal and oceanic spaces of the region, derived from the intrinsic activities of SE-EA. Drawing on three representative and strategic use cases distributed across the Azores, Madeira and the Canary Islands, and through the disruptive integration of marine robotics, automation, big data, numerical modelling and AI, the OCEAN-X DTO will provide an accessible technological solution for government agencies, SE-EA companies, research centres and the general public, through products tailored to their specific needs. The project runs for 36 months and involves 12 entities from Spain, Portugal, Cape Verde, Senegal and São Tomé e Príncipe.