From May 20 to 24, 2025, the Langkawi International Maritime and Aerospace Exhibition (LIMA’25) showcased a groundbreaking invention, the Unmanned Surface Vehicle (USV) for Water Quality Monitoring and Survey Applications. Developed by a dedicated team of researchers led by Ir. Dr. Nik Mohd Ridzuan Bin Shaharuddin from the Faculty of Mechanical Engineering / Marine Technology Centre, the USV garnered significant attention for its potential to enhance environmental monitoring through efficient water quality data collection. The USV features a catamaran-type hull, which provides superior stability and seakeeping performance in inland and riverine environments. Measuring 1.050 meters in length, this compact yet robust platform is designed for easy deployment and safe operation across various aquatic settings. Currently operated via remote control, the USV is equipped with cloud-based sensors that enable real-time monitoring of key water parameters, including temperature, total dissolved solids (TDS), electrical conductivity (EC), and salinity. Its modular design allows for future expansion to include additional sensors for pH, turbidity, dissolved oxygen, ammonia, and more, making it highly adaptable to diverse research and monitoring needs. While the current model is remotely operated, development is underway to incorporate autonomous navigation and data acquisition capabilities. This enhancement is expected to facilitate more efficient and cost-effective deployments in rivers and lakes, supporting national efforts in environmental sustainability, pollution control, and smart technology integration. Funded under the UTM Encouragement Grant (UTMER) and ICC Prototype Development Fund 2 (PDF2), this project exemplifies a successful collaboration between Universiti Teknologi Malaysia (UTM) and Omahams Corporation Sdn Bhd, paving the way for advancements in water resource monitoring and environmental protection.

Reported by Mohammad Abdul Razis bin Saidin.