Underwater robot for offshore wind farm maintenance - US$1.7m British project powered by artificial intelligence
An autonomous underwater robot powered by artificial intelligence, designed to adapt and react to rough seas in real time, is being developed in the UK to help inspect and repair offshore wind farms.
In the UK, over 2,600 wind turbines are located offshore and there are plans to increase this capacity fourfold by 2030. Each of these turbines requires maintenance checks up to three times a year.
Currently undergoing trials in Edinburgh as part of a $1.7 million UK government-backed project, the autonomous robots enable high-precision operations even in rough sea conditions.
"The robot is able to navigate autonomously around the structures and effectively build 3D models of the structure that allows you to inspect them, navigate around them and detect any defects in the structures," explained Yvan Petillot, Professor of Robotics, at Heriot-Watt University and academic director at the National Robotarium.
The robot's artificial intelligence integrates 3D mapping technology, enabling it to create detailed underwater maps. This helps the robot navigate complex offshore structures and accurately identify components that require maintenance, increasing their efficiency and accuracy.
If successful, the system can deliver data insights in just 3 hours, a significant improvement from the current industry standard of 3 weeks. Engineers are now developing onboard robotic weapons for the ship, with sea trials with industry partners expected in early 2025.
The goal is for these autonomous underwater robots to perform a wide range of critical maintenance tasks on offshore wind turbines, such as taking accurate measurements, performing visual inspections, cleaning structures and repairing identified defects.
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