Human-Robot Teaming for Long-Term Operations and Maintenance (O&M) of Offshore Renewable Energy Devices

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The main aim of this project is to develop models and methods for the coordination and cooperation of a fleet of Unmanned Surface Vehicles (USVs) and Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (USVs) for long-term Operation and Maintenance (O&M) of offshore wind farms. O&M activities make up almost a quarter of the lifetime costs of an offshore wind project. The UK has the largest installed capacity of offshore wind generating around 7.2GW capacity. Therefore, reducing the cost of electricity production by offshore wind is very high on the Government's agenda.The project will offer the opportunity to engage with the main experts and stakeholders of this field and to get access to the most advanced research facilities of the Robotics and Autonomous Systems Laboratories of the University of Plymouth, among which COAST laboratory and the new research facility of the School of Engineering, Computing and Mathematics. This facility will enable testing the control of large-scale drones, underwater and vessel vehicles. Moreover, this project will offer the chance to work in some of the most advanced testing areas in ORE like the Levenmouth Demonstration Turbine of ORE Catapult, the Marine Business Technology Centre (MBTC) and the UK Maritime autonomy centre via collaboration with Thales.