In September 2017, the project named Automated data gathering and intelligent data analysis for the gauging of liquid and solid discharges(codename AUTOMON)(in Portuguese: Projeto Levantamento automatizado e análise de dados inteligente para medição de descargas líquidas e sólidas), which aims to automate the process of collection and analysis of samples for the identification of the hydric conditions of hydroelectric generation reservoirs. For this purpose, it is intended to build two remotely operated ships with some autonomous functions that will perform the analysis of the water, sediments and flow rate. Therefore, it will be possible to increase the efficiency of the water quality analysis processes and of the quantification of the flow rate in the water bodies under study.
In addition, the data gathering enabled by the AUTOMON project will be able to assist in the work of regulatory agencies and environmental entities, besides feeding data bases to perform scientific researches.
The project has been developed by Universidade Federal de Juiz de Fora (UFJF), Universidade Federal de Santa Catarina (UFSC), INESC TEC, Fundação de Apoio e Desenvolvimento ao Ensino, Pesquisa e Extensão (Fadepe) and HICON Energia Ltda., under the coordination of INESC P&D Brasil. It is funded by the companies Itapebi Geração de Energia S.A., Geração CIII S.A. and Companhia Hidrelétrica Teles Pires S.A., in the environment regulated by Agência Nacional de Energia Elétrica do Brasil (ANEEL).