AUTONOMIC: Autonomous Robots Supporting Environmental Monitoring in the North

Savonia University of Applied Sciences has joined its first Interreg Aurora project, AUTONOMIC, which launched in February 2025. The project brings together a cross-border consortium led by Luleå University of Technology (LTU), with partners including LUKE, University of Oulu, Mitta AB, and Savonia (Environmental Engineering, Water Safety Reseach Area). The Finnish partners in this project are co-funded by Lapland Regional Council.

AUTONOMIC focuses on developing autonomous robotic systems for environmental inspection and real-time monitoring in Arctic and sub-Arctic regions, especially focusing on Tornio River catchment area. These mobile robots are designed to operate in harsh, remote terrains, collecting sensor data and physical samples of soil, water, ice, and snow. The goal is to identify pollution levels and track nutrient and carbon flows, especially during snowmelt. We are also in close contact with our Associated Organizations, such as Agnico Eagle and Lapland ELY-center, whom have been involved in the planning of our sampling sites and compounds of interest.

The collected data will be used to create spatiotemporal maps, hydrological models and digital twins, enabling predictive insights into ecological changes. Project partner LUKE is providing two sampling points with historical data from more than 10 years, thus making it possible to identify trends in environmental physical and chemical changes. These tools support strategic planning for sustainable development and biodiversity preservation in northern communities. Designing and piloting the robotic manipulator arm to conduct environmental sampling autonomously is a novel technology, which can be adapted by numerous companies who are nowadays taking these samples manually for e.g., environmental permit survaillance. This manual sampling especially in the rural Lapland areas is time-consuming and gives only a snip of information, bound to the sampling frequency and quality. Savonia’s role in the project includes contributing to environmental sampling and analysis, design of the robotic manipulator arm and it’s functions, as well as supporting the development of digital tools for data visualization and decision-making.

“AUTONOMIC represents a leap forward in how we monitor fragile ecosystems. It’s exciting to be part of a project that combines robotics, AI, and sustainability,” says Rosa Sartjärvi, RDI Specialist at Savonia.

The actual sampling campaigns with robots start in Finnish and Swedish Lapland during Spring 2026. This year we have been inspecting our potential sampling sites in Kittilä, Enontekiö, Muonio and Kaunisvaara, and gathering manual samples for baseline analysis. The project runs until the end of 2027 and contributes to several UN Sustainable Development Goals, including Climate action, Industry, Innovation and Infrastructure, Life below water, Life on land and Partneships for the Goals. It also strengthens collaboration between Finnish and Swedish institutions in the Lapland region.

For more information, visit the AUTONOMIC project page. https://www.interregaurora.eu/approved-projects/autonomic/

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Writers:

Rosa Sartjärvi, RDI Specialist, Water Safety Research Area, Savonia University of Applied Sciences, rosa.sartjarvi@savonia.fi

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