Autonomous, serpentine gadget adorned with tentacles might assume the role of divers in perilous offshore occupations.

Soft Robotic Tentacle Underwater Robot: A Game-Changer for Offshore Energy Infrastructure

A soft, tentacle-like underwater robot, developed by the UK's National Robotarium and Senai Cimatec in Brazil, is set to revolutionise the inspection and maintenance of offshore energy infrastructure. The project underscores the importance of international cooperation in robotics, as emphasised by Lucas Silva, Lead Researcher at Senai Cimatec.

The robot, measuring 3.3 feet long (one meter), offers an innovative solution for inspecting and maintaining subsea structures that stretch for millions of miles beneath the ocean. Its flexible design, modelled after a tentacle, allows it to bend and conform to subsea structures, making it safer and more efficient than traditional rigid robotic arms.

The soft robotic tentacle's ability to adapt in unpredictable conditions makes it well-suited for deployment from underwater vehicles. Sensors embedded in the tentacle track its shape and position, even in turbulent water, allowing it to perform delicate inspection tasks near wind farms, pipelines, and other subsea installations.

Rowanne Miller, Project Manager at the National Robotarium, expressed her excitement about the development. "This achievement showcases the comprehensive end-to-end project delivery capabilities of the National Robotarium," she stated. Miller added that the development represents an innovative solution that doesn't just incrementally improve existing technology, but fundamentally changes how underwater inspection tasks can be approached.

Failures in offshore energy infrastructure can cost billions, and with decommissioning expenses projected to exceed $100 billion by 2030, prolonging the life of existing assets has become critical. The soft robotic tentacle is aimed at offshore energy firms, subsea operators, and inspection providers, offering a potential solution to these costly problems.

Subsea pipelines and equipment at depths of nearly 9,843 feet must be inspected regularly to ensure safety. The successful testing of the robot in real-world conditions at the National Robotarium's wave tank facility is particularly exciting because it creates a solution that could transform how subsea infrastructure is maintained and protected.

Even when disturbed, the robot quickly corrected its position and returned to its target state within seconds. Results showed it can maintain stability when subjected to external forces of up to 300 g. The soft robotic tentacle's combination of a flexible backbone and tendon-like cables enables it to move with precision.

The value of international cooperation in robotics, as demonstrated by this project, cannot be overstated. Lucas Silva, Lead Researcher at Senai Cimatec, highlighted the importance of the partnership, stating, "The project highlights the value of international cooperation in robotics." The development at the University of Edinburgh and Senai Cimatec in Brazil, while not involving specific corporate firms in the available information, showcases the potential for groundbreaking advancements in underwater robotics.

Autonomous, serpentine gadget adorned with tentacles might assume the role of divers in perilous offshore occupations.