Robot resembling a snake with appendages resembling tentacles may assume the roles of divers in dangerous offshore work environments.
New Soft, Tentacle-like Underwater Robot Set to Revolutionize Offshore Inspections
A groundbreaking collaboration between the UK's National Robotarium and Brazil's Senai Cimatec has led to the development of a flexible, tentacle-like underwater search robot. This innovative robot, designed to adapt to unpredictable conditions, is poised to change the way offshore infrastructure is inspected and maintained.
The international partnership, spearheaded by Rowanne Miller, Project Manager at the National Robotarium, and Lucas Silva, Lead Researcher at Senai Cimatec, has been instrumental in driving the development and collaboration between the institutions.
Equipped with sensors that track its shape and position, even in turbulent water, the robot boasts a 3.3-foot length and a flexible design, making it safer and more efficient for underwater operations. It can perform delicate inspection tasks near wind farms, pipelines, and other subsea installations.
The robot's flexible backbone and tendon-like cables allow it to move with precision. Results show that it can maintain stability when subjected to external forces of up to 300 g, and even when disturbed, it quickly corrects its position and returns to its target state within seconds.
This technology is aimed at offshore energy firms, subsea operators, and inspection providers. If adopted at scale, the system could mark a turning point in offshore operations, as failures can cost billions, and with decommissioning expenses projected to exceed $100 billion by 2030, prolonging the life of existing assets has become critical.
The tentacle robot was tested at the National Robotarium's wave tank facility. Lucas Silva, Lead Researcher at Senai Cimatec, stated that the partnership was key to the achievement. Rowanne Miller, Project Manager at the National Robotarium, expressed that "This breakthrough represents a significant milestone for the National Robotarium..."
The project highlights the value of international cooperation in robotics, as offshore energy infrastructure stretches for millions of miles beneath the ocean, and subsea pipelines and equipment at depths of nearly 9,843 feet must be inspected regularly to ensure safety. The robot's ability to adapt in unpredictable conditions makes it well-suited for deployment from underwater vehicles, offering an innovative solution to these challenges.
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