- The initiative has enabled the development of a new generation of technologies for the inspection, monitoring and predictive assessment of water infrastructure.
Malaga, Spain – June 17, 2026. Aganova has successfully completed NAUTILUS NEXT-AI, a research and development project focused on leveraging artificial intelligence and advanced sensing technologies to enhance the management of water distribution networks. The project was funded by the Spanish Centre for the Development of Industrial Technology (CDTI), with support from the Spanish Ministry of Science, Innovation and Universities, and co-financed by the European Regional Development Fund (ERDF) through the Spain ERDF Multi-Regional Programme 2021–2027, , and additional support from the Technological Corporation of Andalusia (CTA).
Developed in Malaga between March 2024 and May 2026, NAUTILUS NEXT-AI set out to create an integrated ecosystem for water network monitoring capable of automatically detecting and locating anomalies in operating infrastructure, while also predicting potential failures based on pipeline condition and asset health.
As part of the project, Aganova has developed a new generation of its Nautilus technology, incorporating enhanced durability, autonomy and modularity to enable inspections under a wider range of operating conditions. The initiative has also led to the development and validation of automated algorithms capable of detecting and classifying anomalies using real-world data, significantly reducing the need for manual analysis and accelerating the delivery of actionable results for network operators.
Another major achievement of the project was the creation of an advanced testing facility capable of replicating real operating conditions, including leaks, corrosion and sediment accumulation. This environment allows new technologies to be rigorously tested and validated before deployment in the field.
In parallel, Aganova integrated new sensing systems based on video, acoustic and fiber optic technologies, expanding the diagnostic capabilities available for water infrastructure assessment and asset management.
One of the most significant milestones of NAUTILUS NEXT-AI was the successful validation of the developed solutions in real operating environments, confirming both their technical feasibility and their potential to improve the management of critical assets across urban and industrial water systems.
Through these advances, Aganova continues to strengthen its commitment to technological innovation aimed at reducing water losses, enabling predictive infrastructure management and accelerating the digital transformation of the water sector. The project lays the foundation for a new generation of intelligent tools that will help utilities make data-driven decisions, optimize investments and enhance the resilience of their distribution networks.
Project funded by the Centre for the Development of Industrial Technology and Innovation (CDTI) and co-financed by the European Union through the European Regional Development Fund (ERDF) under the Spain Multi-Regional Programme 2021–2027, and additional support from the Technological Corporation of Andalusia (CTA).
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About NAUTILUS NEXT-AI
- Location: Malaga, Spain
- Project duration: March 2024 – May 2026
- Total budget: €881,604
- ERDF/CDTI funding: €201,910
