Unmanned Dynamics Celebrates Innovation: First Place at Inovacijų Dirbtuvės Final!

Huge congratulations to Juozas Balčikonis, Paulius Sabanskis, Matas Tamulynas, and Motiejus Tamonis for their outstanding presentation and winning first place at today’s Inovacijų Dirbtuvės final at Visoriai Information Technology Park (VITP)!

This achievement is even more remarkable considering that the team developed their entire project in just a few months—a testament to their talent, dedication, and problem-solving skills.

A Breakthrough for Underwater Positioning

What makes this project truly special is that it will become an integral part of our Underwater Positioning System, Aquarid—part of ESA BIC Lithuania (Business Incubation Centre). The idea for this groundbreaking solution came from Srinath Mallikarjunan, and with his guidance, the team transformed it from concept to a fully functional prototype in record time.

Solving One of Underwater Communication’s Biggest Challenges

Underwater communication is notoriously difficult because radio waves don’t work underwater. Existing solutions often rely on expensive proprietary systems or cumbersome tethers. Instead, this team developed a cost-effective, modular system that allows seamless air-to-water communication for underwater vehicles.

How It Works:

• The first component collects data from any game joystick and transmits it via radio over long distances (up to 3 km).

• The second component, located on a buoy, connects to the underwater vehicle using acoustic modems.

By combining radio and acoustic technologies, this innovative setup creates a virtual communication bridge between air and water—an elegant and efficient solution.

Why This Innovation Stands Out:

• Bridges air-to-water communication seamlessly

• Doubles as a range extender for air-based communication

• Far more affordable than existing systems, which can cost hundreds of thousands of Euros

• Built using off-the-shelf components, making it highly adaptable and easy to scale

• Designed for future upgrades, including encryption for security and anti-jamming capabilities

This breakthrough has applications far beyond underwater vehicles—it could also support underwater sensor networks, hybrid aerial-underwater systems, and more.

A Winning Presentation

A huge shoutout to Rasa Milerytė, who led the entire challenge, and to the team for delivering a stellar pitch at today’s event. They clearly articulated the problem, demonstrated their technical solution, and showcased its real-world potential—all within an incredibly short timeframe.

A Future Shaped by Lithuania’s Brightest Minds

This victory isn’t just a win for the team—it’s a glimpse into the future of Lithuania itself. The country’s next generation of engineers, innovators, and problem-solvers is proving that they have the skills, creativity, and drive to compete on the world stage.

Lithuania is rapidly becoming a hotspot for cutting-edge technology and innovation, thanks to the bold ideas and relentless determination of students like these. Programs like Inovacijų Dirbtuvės give young talent the chance to turn ideas into reality, and when given the opportunity, they deliver real solutions to real-world challenges.

With minds like these shaping the future, Lithuania isn’t just keeping up—it’s leading the way.

Moreover, initiatives like the Inovacijų Dirbtuvės, organized by VITP, provide invaluable platforms for students to collaborate with companies, develop new products or services, and gain real-world experience. Such programs are instrumental in nurturing the next generation of innovators and problem-solvers.

We are immensely proud of this team and the broader community of Lithuanian tech students. Their achievements signal a bright and promising future for technology and innovation in Lithuania. Congratulations again on proving that with innovation, teamwork, and determination, anything is possible!