OMNI Features｜UK-Brazil Team Unveils Snake-Like Robot for Offshore Wind Farms Inspections

A joint team from the U.K.'s National Robotarium and Brazil's Senai Cimatec has developed a flexible underwater robot designed to transform offshore wind farms inspections. The one-meter-long, tentacle-like device uses a soft backbone and tendon-like cables to maneuver around complex subsea structures, offering a safer and more precise alternative to traditional rigid systems.

Equipped with advanced sensors, the robot maintains stability in turbulent waters and can correct its position within seconds when disturbed. Tests at the National Robotarium’s wave tank demonstrated its ability to withstand external forces up to 300g, making it well suited for use with remotely operated vehicles to assess offshore wind farms, pipelines, and other critical energy infrastructure.

Researchers highlight the potential impact on the offshore sector, where assets at depths nearing 3,000 meters require regular inspections. With global decommissioning costs expected to exceed $100 billion by 2030, extending the operational life of subsea equipment could yield both economic and environmental benefits.

Rowanne Miller, Project Manager at the National Robotarium, emphasized that this breakthrough represents more than an incremental improvement. They describe it as a disruptive step forward in subsea robotics, setting new standards for safety, precision, and international collaboration in the maintenance of offshore assets.

Reference: Marine Technology News