BIUTOPIC
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HYDRO‑02

The solar‑electric
exoskeleton.

A modular platform designed to clamp around an existing hull — and turn it into a low-impact floating laboratory.

Concept

The exoskeleton is a modular platform that installs around an existing hull. Rather than designing a wholly new boat, we develop a retrofit technical overlay — adaptable to different hull architectures, reproducible, and fully dismountable.

This approach directly embodies Biutopic's values: regenerate rather than replace, optimise what already exists rather than extract new resources. L'Hydronaute is its first demonstrator.

Existing hull → + Exoskeleton → Floating laboratory
Illustration: L'Hydronaute fitted with the HYDRO-02 exoskeleton — modular structure on floats, observation platform, two observers with binoculars
Technical plate · HYDRO-02 · Assembly Prototype in development
waterline ··· ···
Assembly design La Mutine — with our thanks to a great build partner.
Original 'Assemblage Hydronaute' sheet by La Mutine (05/2026): elevations, plan and isometric view of the modular structure on floats
Source document · Assemblage Hydronaute · La Mutine · 05/2026

Intended architecture · Envisaged functions

The intended architecture can integrate all technical systems into a unified structure, designed to be assembled and disassembled without any permanent modification to the original hull. The prototype is in development — each function is validated in stages.

  1. 01
    Solar panels

    Renewable energy generation while underway and at mooring. Surface area optimised for sun exposure and electrical load.

  2. 02
    Batteries

    Energy storage to ensure propulsion range and power supply for scientific instruments throughout the voyage.

  3. 03
    Electric drivetrain

    Envisaged integration of electric propulsion and navigation- assistance functions, subject to technical validation.

  4. 04
    Onboard electronics

    Perception and assistance modules based on artificial intelligence may be tested as they are integrated and validated.

  5. 05
    Lateral stability floats

    Provide stability during sampling and scientific analysis manoeuvres, or when carrying heavy instrument loads.

  6. 06
    Scientific instruments

    Modular space for research equipment — sensors, samplers, analysers — swappable to match each study protocol.

Microplastic filtration

A hydrocyclone filtration system.

Among the integrated scientific instruments, a hydrocyclone filtration system samples, filters, separates and analyses the microplastics present in the water.

The hydrocyclone uses centrifugal force to separate particles by density — no mechanical filter to replace, no chemicals. Collected samples feed directly into Biutopic's open database on plastic pollution in inland waterways.

Water sampled ↓ Hydrocyclone ↓
Filtered water returned to river
Microplastics collected + analysed

Approach

Retrofit The exoskeleton adapts to an existing hull with no irreversible modification — a logic of preservation and reuse of what already exists.
Modularity Each module is independent and replaceable. Technological progress never requires replacing the entire system.
Replicability The demonstrator is meant to study how the principle can adapt to other compatible hulls — toward, in the long term, a low-impact exploration fleet.
Open source Technical documentation and research protocols will be progressively opened — sharing to accelerate the transition.

Design sketchbooks

The exoskeleton was born on tracing paper — hundreds of sketches, overlays, and reconsiderations. These pages are the work of Arpi Mangasaryan, architect and researcher at the heart of the project.

First concept sketch of the exoskeleton — 1/8 scale, hull and load-bearing structure view
01 Initial concept — 1/8 scale, load-bearing structure geometry
Isometric sketch of the exoskeleton on tracing paper — structural triangulation and connection points annotated in red
02 Structure — node triangulation, connection points (red annotation)
Sketch of the exoskeleton underway on water — side view with blue wash
03 Underway — side elevation, on-water configuration

Timeline

From spec to launch.

Prototype phase — delivery and fit-out in progress (July 2026).

  1. 01 · Early April → mid-April Done

    • Project kickoff
    • Drafting & sign-off of the technical specification

  2. 02 · Mid-April → mid-May Done

    • Design · 3D modelling
    • Construction drawings
    • Hardware sourcing

  3. 03 · Mid-May → end of May Done

    • Simulation · engineering-office submission
    • Adjustments · engineering-office sign-off
    • Fabrication drawings
    • Raw-material order

  4. 04 · Early June → end of June Done

    • Workshop fabrication
    • Flotation tests
    • Adjustments

  5. 05 · Early July → mid-July In progress

    • Delivery
    • Boat fit-out
The exoskeleton is not a technological gadget. It is a demonstration that technology can serve the living world — lightweight, sober, and reproducible.
Read the manifesto → Join the research →
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