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In this study, we present and test the functioning of a automated multi-flume actograph that is able to simulate concomitant geophysical cycles (day-night and hydrodynamic cycles) characterizing the benthic environment of continental margins. The burrowing Norway lobster (Nephrops norvegicus, L.) was used to test the functioning of the device. The system is endowed with pumps and a pipe system for periodical current flow generation. Monochromatic blue light cycle (472 nm) was provided by submergible LED's lighting strips. Locomotor activity of 8 individuals was tracked by 4 HD video cameras during a 10 days trial. A customized automated video-imaging protocol in MATLAB calculated displacement of animals (cm/min). The functioning of the system was tested simulating an Atlantic continental shelf scenario (i.e. light intensity of 4 · 10^− 3 μE/m²/s and current flow at 10 cm/s). Robust time series outputs of …