Written by Ahamad Amirul Afhiq bin Ahamad
Edited by Ts. ChM. Dr. Nor Suriani Sani
River and inland water pollution remains a critical challenge to environmental sustainability and public safety in Malaysia. Although awareness of environmental protection has increased, water quality monitoring in many locations still relies on manual sampling methods. These methods often require personnel to work in hazardous environments such as polluted rivers, industrial zones, and remote water bodies, raising concerns about safety, operational efficiency, and data accuracy.
To address these challenges, researchers at Universiti Teknologi Malaysia’s (UTM) Marine Technology Centre (MTC) have developed AquaSURV, an innovative Unmanned Surface Vehicle (USV) designed for remote and real-time water quality monitoring. The project is led by Ir. Dr. Nik Mohd Ridzuan Shaharuddin, Director of MTC, in collaboration with industry partner Omahams Corporation Sdn. Bhd., combining marine engineering expertise with intelligent monitoring technology.
AquaSURV is designed to monitor inland waters such as rivers, lakes, reservoirs, and high-risk industrial areas. It is powered by an environmentally friendly electric propulsion system, while larger versions integrate solar energy to improve energy efficiency and reduce reliance on conventional power sources.
The system is equipped with integrated sensors that measure key water quality parameters, including pH, dissolved oxygen, turbidity, temperature, salinity, and oil contamination. Additional sensors such as nitrate and ammonia detectors can be installed depending on monitoring needs. Through 4G wireless connectivity, data is transmitted to cloud platforms and monitoring centres, enabling real-time analysis and faster decision-making.
With its compact design and agile operation, AquaSURV supports both routine environmental monitoring and emergency response missions. The innovation received international recognition with a Silver Medal and a Special Award from the Vietnam Fund for Supporting Technological Creation (VIFOTEC), awarded to Ts. Dr. Saiful Anuar Abu Bakar and his team from the Faculty of Mechanical Engineering (FKM), UTM.
