AI robot set to transform offshore wind maintenance

An autonomous underwater robot, powered by AI, 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 the year 2030. Typically, each of these turbines requires maintenance checks up to three times annually, a rate that tends to increase as the turbines get older.

Currently under trials in Edinburgh as part of the UK-government backed $1.7 million Underwater Intervention for Offshore Renewable Energies (UNITE) project, the autonomous robots could enable high-precision operations even in turbulent sea conditions.

"The robot is able to navigate autonomously around structures and effectively build 3D models of the structure that can enable you to inspect them, to navigate around them, and to detect any defects in the structures," explained Yvan Petillot, Professor of Robotics at Heriot-Watt University and National Robotarium academic lead.

The robot's AI integrates 3D mapping technology, enabling it to create detailed underwater maps. This helps the robot navigate complex offshore structures and precisely identify components requiring maintenance, boosting their efficiency and accuracy.

Spearheaded by Heriot-Watt University in collaboration with Imperial College London, geo-data specialist Fugro, and Heriot-Watt spin-out Frontier Robotics, the project is being supported by the UK's National Robotarium center for robotics and AI.

If successful, the system could deliver data insights in as little as 3 hours, a significant improvement from the current industry standard of 3 weeks.

The engineers are now developing on-board robotic arms for the craft, 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.