Digital Ocean Lab

An underwater test field in the Baltic Sea - the "Digital Ocean Lab" (DOL) - will provide research and industry with realistic testing opportunities for new underwater technologies. Starting from an artificial reef off Nienhagen, several test areas for different scenarios are being created under the direction of Fraunhofer IGD. The "Ocean Technology Campus" is being built around the land-based control center of the new underwater test field in collaboration with Fraunhofer IGD, the Subsea Monitoring Network e.V. and Rostock Business. On the site of Rostock's cargo and fishing port, it will create a productive environment in which marine technology can be developed and tested in close cooperation between research from various disciplines and industry. Successful technology transfer should be even more successful thanks to the close proximity, leading to faster and more successful innovations and helping Rostock to play a leading role on the international technology markets.

The artificial reef off Nienhagen is home to two test sites for different applications, DOL 1 and DOL 2, which is currently being planned.

The DOL 1 is particularly recommended for environmental research in (shallow) water: the artificial reef is suitable for monitoring and protection research of sensitive reef ecosystems. In addition, a large area is available for technical research, where surveying technology can be tested and calibrated and, for example, the effects of waves on structures can be simulated. There is also an AUV test and UXO training area in the immediate vicinity of the reef.

The DOL 2 is tailored to the detection of unexploded ordnance (UXO) and offers generous areas for testing underwater cables. A combined test field enables extended testing possibilities under real conditions.