The Canary Islands Government's Ministry of Universities, Science, Innovation, and Culture has definitively awarded a grant of €214.000 to the technology company Aerolaser System, SL. The resolution, processed by the Canary Islands Agency for Research, Innovation, and the Information Society (ACIISI), fully funds the implementation budget of an innovation project within the blue economy industry, a strategic sector of the expanded RIS3 agenda. The funding includes 85% co-financing from the European Union through the ERDF Canary Islands 2021-2027 program, under the policy objective of improving research capabilities and assimilating advanced technologies in transition regions.
The injection of public capital will accelerate the implementation of advanced mapping services along the coastline of San Bartolomé de Tirajana and Mogán, facilitating three-dimensional monitoring of coastal areas and port infrastructure in southern Gran Canaria. The regional government has authorized the advance payment of the funds to provide immediate liquidity for the company's operations, exempting it from the usual provisional approval procedures.
The core technical aspect of the project lies in overcoming the operational limitations of conventional airborne red-spectrum LiDAR technology in shallow aquatic environments. Aerolaser System will integrate a state-of-the-art green-wave LiDAR sensor into its fleet of aerial platforms, specifically the VQ-840-G model developed by the specialized manufacturer RIEGL. The physical properties of the green light beam allow it to penetrate the water surface of the southern coastal areas of the islands, obtaining highly accurate geometric data on the morphology of the seabed, beach profiles, and river channels that flow into the southern coast.
The work schedule of the Gran Canaria-based company establishes an execution period of 18 months, setting the start of operations on July 1, 2026, and the material conclusion on December 31, 2027. The project phases include the design of the sensor coupling interface, the calibration of the capture systems, and the execution of a final pilot test in a real marine environment off the island.
The acceptance of ERDF funds binds Aerolaser System to strict clauses regarding durability and socio-economic impact on the Canary Islands economy. The technology company undertakes the obligation to increase its permanent workforce by creating at least one new full-time, permanent position within six months of the start of operations. This technical position must remain active throughout the project's development period, and the contract must explicitly state the public origin of the regional and European funding to avoid the complete revocation of the aid.
