In this report, we review the status of present-day float technology and consider its likely evolution over the coming years in respect of float design, lifetime, cost, new sensors, improved telecommunications etc. Float manufacturers and their products are first analyzed and the competitiveness of European providers assessed. New and emerging requirements for improved capabilities and performances (communications, lifetime) in particular for marginal seas and additional or improved sensors (e.g. O2, sea ice, density, sea surface temperature and sea surface salinity, bio-optical, plankton), are also detailed. Bio-geochemical and bio-optical sensors are currently under development. Combining such sensors with the mature profiling float technology should allow us, in particular, to address requirements coming from new research communities (e.g. biogeochemical, optical and ocean colour, carbon cycle, ecosystem, fishery). Trade-offs between additional costs, increased complexity and development of the user community need to be analyzed.