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Trials / Demos For Today’s Robots

Up to 50% of the cost of operating and maintaining offshore assets is due to mobilisation and accommodation of people, and equipment to site. There is significant risk associated with humans in the field and at remote sites. Alongside this risk, currently there is substantial carbon intensity associated with offshore operations.

However, a unified team of humans, robots and AI working together could operate and maintain this infrastructure with significantly less impact on the environment and with enhanced safety risk management. Additionally, applying autonomous technology to the renewable energy industry can significantly improve efficiency and expand our clean power access.

The use of robotics and autonomous systems is revolutionising the offshore energy industry. They have the potential to reduce safety risk, reduce cost and carbon footprint, and provide greater resilience to exogenous shocks such as a pandemic.

As part of the funding competition, we are looking for innovative ideas and technology for the long-term use of robotics in the field or at site, in an industrial setting and harsh environments. As the energy industry increasingly turns to remote operations to avoid the workforce carrying out the dirty, dull and dangerous tasks, the deployment of robots will represent a shift in remote operations whether is it onshore or offshore.

Robotics in the “Here and Now” includes operations on land, in sea or air primarily for inspection and maintenance purposes.

Key points to consider for meeting this challenge

  • The robotic technology should be applicable to the energy sector which includes oil & gas, renewables, and new energy solutions for the future
  • Ability to demonstrate value through multifunctional capability
  • Technologies should have strong value case in either increasing efficiency, reducing carbon impact and/or significantly reducing risk
  • Technology entry level is minimum TRL 6 with development to achieve up to TRL8 (Technology providers should be prepared to validate TRL6 through an initial demo or showcase to industry)
  • Technologies should be prepared to consider a long-term field trial/demonstration for an appropriate time period, at a site, to record reliability and repeatability (with potential for simops between humans and robots) levels.
  • Able to demonstrate a level of autonomy relevant to the task, to achieve remote operations
  • Technologies should be prepared to share payload data during trials