Frontier Robotics Makes First Commercial Sale to ORE Catapult

Edinburgh-based Frontier Robotics has achieved a significant milestone by securing its first commercial sale with the Offshore Renewable Energy (ORE) Catapult, the UK’s foremost technology innovation center for offshore renewables.

Frontier Robotics, headquartered in the National Robotarium at Heriot-Watt University, has developed cutting-edge visual sensing and autonomy technology for subsea robots. This technology will now be utilized at various sites, including ORE Catapult’s new simulation platform VDARE (Virtual Demonstration and Assessment for Robotic Environments) at its DARE (Digital, Autonomous, and Robotics Engineering) Centre in Blyth.

The company’s innovative camera can be attached to a remotely operated vehicle (ROV) to capture realistic imagery of offshore assets such as wind turbines and floating offshore wind platforms. These images are then integrated into ORE Catapult’s VDARE simulation to create virtual representations of real assets.

The challenging conditions of the ocean make the inspection and maintenance of offshore assets a complex task, especially due to poor visibility in murky waters. By combining advanced sensor fusion techniques with edge computing, Frontier Robotics’ system offers improved visual clarity, reliable positioning, and 3D mapping through Simultaneous Localisation And Mapping (SLAM) technology.

SLAM technology enables ROVs to generate detailed 3D maps of their surroundings while simultaneously tracking their own position within those environments. This capability lays the groundwork for automated and autonomous operations.

This new technology addresses crucial challenges faced by the UK’s offshore wind sector, where over 2,600 turbines spread across 43 wind farms require multiple maintenance checks annually. These operations contribute significantly to offshore wind emissions through vessel operations and helicopter transfers. Enhanced monitoring will empower operators to make quicker, more informed decisions regarding maintenance operations, leading to cost reductions and a decrease in carbon footprint.