In what has been described as a 'world's first' a spider-like robot recently achieved its first blade walk an offshore wind turbine in the UK, opening door to significant offshore inspection cost cuts.Developed by BladeBUG, with support of the Offshore Renewable Energy (ORE) Catapult…
ACSM chose an electric Saab Seaeye Panther XT robotic vehicle for pipeline inspection in the Gulf of Mexico. The Panther inspected 261 pipelines totalling 2,340 km in four fields in the Gulf of Mexico (GOM), at depths ranging from 15 to 130 metres…
Many of the more advanced mechanics of robotic systems are being developed as part of the Offshore Robotics for Certification of Assets (ORCA) Hub in Edinburgh. It’s a publicly funded project led by the Edinburgh Centre for Robotics (Heriot-Watt University and the University of Edinburgh)…
Robots and robotics have slowly been entering our lives, in various shapes and forms (and fictional characters), from self-driving household vacuum cleaners to highly automated manufacturing systems. Now they’re heading for the offshore world – in just as many shapes and forms…
Total has been working on robotics for some years now, having launched the Argos challenge in 2013 and now getting ready to put the Taurob designed Stevie robot through its paces in a trial at Shetland Gas Plant. We spoke with Kris Kydd, Head of Robotics…
France-based seismic data company CGG has informed that its subsidiary Sercel has acquired a 34% shareholding in AMBPR, a start-up company that designs and markets autonomous robots.The AMBPR robots are used for repairing (sanding and painting) of large metallic structures…
A spider-like robot designed for inspection, maintenance, and repair of offshore wind turbine blades has successfully passed its turbine walking test.During the trials, which took place in early March at the Offshore Renewable Energy (ORE) Catapult’s National Renewable Energy Centre in Blyth…
The first real-time maritime robot testing center for offshore wind in Europe is being established.The European Atlantis center will be in Viana do Castelo and involves an investment of 8.5 million euros. It is coordinated by INESC TEC, and…
A consortium of five universities, including Heriot-Watt University, working with 35 industrial and innovation partners, has unveiled the latest results from its research collaboration.The largest academic center in the world for research into robotics technology for offshore energy infrastructure…
Unmanned maritime systems (UMS), especially autonomous underwater vehicles (AUVs), are no stranger to commercial applications. Survey of the seafloor by AUVs and subsequently unmanned surface vehicles (USVs) is now an accepted practice. UMS technology is moving into new commercial domains…
French subsea firm Forssea Robotics and UK-based Subsea Technology & Rentals (STR) have agreed a global exclusive partnership.The moves follows a partnership formed between the two companies in June last year (2018). As part of the new partnership…
As the global fleet of offshore renewables fleet increases, ways to reduce the cost and increase the efficiency and safety of operations and maintenance work, using robotics and autonomous systems, will also grow. Elaine Maslin reports.Robotics…
2017 became the year that the oil and gas industry embraced robotics. Elaine Maslin reports on initiatives in the North Sea (first published in the January 2018 OE, access the full issue here). While the industry has long been using autonomous underwater systems and remotely operated tooling…
Taking a look back on the year that was 2017, our OEdigital.com website's most popular stories pretty much tell everything you need to know. While the industry is still adjusting to the downturn, the bright spots are few, but significant…
A new research centre focused on robotics for the offshore industry is to be set up in the UK with nearly US$19 million (£14.3 million) UK Industrial Strategy Challenge Fund (ISCF) funding. The Offshore Robotics for Certification of…
Subscribe
