3plusplus GmbH Advances Underwater Sensing with Multi-UWS

At SpectroNet, we are always excited to spotlight the innovative work of our network partners. One current example is 3plusplus GmbH, which is contributing its expertise to the research project Multi-UWS—a forward-looking initiative that aims to make underwater inspection, environmental monitoring, and maritime safety smarter, safer, and more efficient.

A Next Step in Underwater Sensing

Multi-UWS is the follow-up project to the earlier research initiative UWSensor. Running from 2025 to 2028, the project is funded by the German Federal Ministry for Economic Affairs and Energy as part of the Maritime Research Strategy 2025.

The goal of Multi-UWS is ambitious: to develop a compact, multimodal underwater sensor system for use on remotely operated underwater vehicles (ROVs). This system is designed to do much more than capture images. It will enable the three-dimensional acquisition and reconstruction of underwater environments, generate high-resolution 3D recordings of specific objects, and provide these in real time as transferable 3D models for inspection purposes.

In addition, the system will integrate biological and chemical sensing capabilities, creating a far more comprehensive picture of underwater conditions than visual data alone can provide.

Why This Matters

Underwater environments are among the most challenging spaces to monitor and assess. Visibility is limited, access can be difficult or dangerous, and many critical structures lie far below the surface. That is exactly where multimodal sensor technology can make a real difference.

By combining 3D imaging with biological and chemical measurements, Multi-UWS opens up new possibilities for safer operations, faster decision-making, and more precise intervention planning. For industries and institutions operating in maritime settings, this means not only better data, but also a much stronger basis for action.

Key Application Areas

The Multi-UWS system is being developed with a wide range of practical applications in mind. These include:

• Condition assessment and optimized maintenance planning for offshore wind farms

• Detection of damage in pipeline systems and underwater energy infrastructure

• Identification of leaking hazardous or toxic substances

• Support for underwater explosive ordnance disposal, including conclusions about the type of object and possible recovery approaches using robotics

• Monitoring of marine ecosystem health

  
  

These use cases show how relevant the project is across sectors—from offshore energy and industrial inspection to environmental protection and maritime security.

Clear Advantages for Maritime Operations

The expected benefits of Multi-UWS are equally compelling:

• Reduced operational risk

• Improved access to hazardous or hard-to-reach locations

• Better planning of maintenance and repair tasks

• Faster detection of changes in marine ecosystems

• Significant savings through reduced fuel consumption

  
  

Especially in offshore contexts, where vessel time and deployment costs are high, efficient inspection and precise planning can create substantial economic and environmental value.

Strong Partners for a Complex Challenge

Multi-UWS brings together an impressive consortium of partners, each contributing specialized expertise. Alongside 3plusplus GmbH, the project includes:

• Oktopus GmbH

• Fraunhofer Institute for Applied Optics and Precision Engineering (IOF)

• Julius-Maximilians-Universität Würzburg

• Corvus Works GmbH

• FIUM GmbH & Co. KG – Institute for Fish and Environment

• Baltic Taucherei- und Bergungsbetrieb Rostock GmbH

  
  

This interdisciplinary collaboration reflects the complexity of the challenge: developing advanced underwater sensing systems requires expertise in optics, sensor technology, robotics, data processing, environmental analysis, and maritime operations.

Innovation with Relevance for the SpectroNet Community

For the SpectroNet network, Multi-UWS is a strong example of how photonics and sensor technologies can create impact in demanding real-world scenarios. The project highlights the growing importance of multimodal sensing, 3D data acquisition, and real-time digital inspection tools—all topics that are highly relevant for many of our partners.

We are proud to see 3plusplus GmbH involved in such an important research initiative and look forward to following the project’s progress over the coming years. Multi-UWS demonstrates how innovation from within our network can help address key industrial, environmental, and societal challenges.

We will be happy to share further updates as the project develops.