Emeritus third consortium meeting, testing activities and beginning of training programme

The Emeritus June Event 2024 held in Soave, Italy brought together project partners for a four-day intense event full of activities encompassing internal meetings, the start of the project training programme and technical testing.

 

The EMERITUS June Event 2024, held at Fondazione SAFE’s headquarter and at Calvarina base in Soave, Italy, was a multifaceted gathering that included theoretical and operational training sessions, testing of technologies, and the third project consortium meeting. This event marked a crucial milestone in the project’s mission to enhance illegal waste crime detection and improve environmental monitoring through advanced technological solutions.

Theoretical Training Sessions
The event began with two days of intensive theoretical training sessions, designed to provide participants with a thorough understanding of the legal and operational frameworks necessary for tackling environmental crimes. The training covered several key areas starting with an introduction to fundamental international environmental principles and the various instruments used to combat environmental crime. Detailed sessions explored the international and EU legal frameworks that address waste and pollution crime. These sessions were followed by practical exercises that allowed participants to apply their knowledge in simulated real-world scenarios. A deep dive into the connections between organised crime, corruption, and money laundering related to waste and pollution crimes provided critical insights into the broader impact of these activities. Discussions on the environmental damage caused by waste crime highlighted the importance of stringent measures and effective enforcement. The theoretical training concluded with a review of the course objectives and expectations. Discussions included training of trainers (ToT) materials, outlining the next steps for continued education and implementation.

Operational Training Sessions
Following the theoretical sessions, participants engaged in operational training, focusing on practical skills and hands-on experience with the tools and technologies central to the EMERITUS project. It entailed a session on geomatic tools for illegal waste site detection led by the Politecnico di Torino and a second one drone control module training managed by Logikers.

The former covered the use of advanced geomatic tools essential for detecting illegal waste sites where participants learned how to effectively integrate these tools into their monitoring processes. On the other hand, the training about the drone control module explained the two-layer detection system employed by EMERITUS. It consists of a first layer of satellite data collection to map potential illegal waste sites, which is then followed by drone missions to capture detailed, real-time, high-quality images.

Testing of technologies
Throughout the event, the Politecnico di Torino led a series of tests of the project’s technological solutions. The focus was on the robustness of GNSS navigation and positioning systems, including GPS and GALILEO. These tests, conducted in both controlled and semi-controlled environments, aimed to assess the systems’ resilience against jamming and spoofing, ensuring reliable UAV and terrestrial localisation. These evaluations are crucial for enhancing the quality and robustness of the navigation solutions supporting the project’s mission.

A total of 56 participants attended the theoretical, operational training and testing session, all LEAs and BGs part of the EMERITUS consortium plus the members of the International Business College Mitrovica (IBC-M).

Third EMERITUS Consortium Meeting
Another important highlight of the event was the third EMERITUS consortium meeting held on 27th June. This meeting provided a platform for all project partners to assess the progress of EMERITUS, plan activities for the next months and identify challenges to ensure the successful completion of the project. The Consortium Meeting saw the involvement of 45 participants engaged in the reviewing of both theoretical and practical aspects.

Future Directions
Looking ahead, the EMERITUS project aims to further refine its platform by focusing on reducing latency, supporting cooperative missions, and improving integration with external sensors. These and more features will be included in the platform beta version; advancements will bolster the project’s capacity for efficient and comprehensive environmental monitoring. Moreover, the second session of the training programme will be delivered during the Second Showcase Event that will be held in Athens in October – more details will soon be disclosed.

The EMERITUS June Event 2024 underscored the collaborative efforts and technological innovations driving the project. By integrating and further developing state-of-the-art innovative tools and advanced drone control systems, the project aims to protect the environment through effective and innovative monitoring solutions. The event’s success highlights the project’s commitment to advancing technology for environmental protection and sets the stage for future achievements.