AEROSUB: Pioneering Fully Automated Robotic Solutions for Offshore Wind Farms
AEROSUB (Automated Inspection Robots for Surface, Aerial, and Underwater Substructures) is a groundbreaking €12.1 million project led by INESC TEC, set to revolutionize the operation and maintenance (O&M) of offshore wind farms. By integrating advanced robotics, artificial intelligence (AI), and data analytics, AEROSUB aims to cut operational costs and enhance efficiency in extreme environments, with a target for full deployment by 2030.
Innovative Robotic Solutions
The project will develop fully autonomous robotic systems, including:
- Unmanned vessels capable of deploying multiple robotic vehicles
- Autonomous underwater and surface robots for inspection and intervention
- Aerial drones for structural assessments
- AI-driven coordination for seamless human-robot collaboration
By optimizing interactions between these robotic systems, AEROSUB will minimize human exposure to hazardous environments and introduce the first completely unmanned offshore wind inspection and intervention solution.
“This fully robotic solution will increase the number of annual operating windows of offshore wind farms across Europe by 40%,” says Andry Maykol Pinto, an INESC TEC researcher.
CRIS at UL: Leading the Way in Underwater Robotics
The Centre for Robotics and Intelligent Systems (CRIS) at the University of Limerick plays a crucial role in AEROSUB as a leading provider of Remotely Operated Vehicle (ROV) technology. With extensive experience in marine robotics and intelligent automation, CRIS will develop and integrate advanced ROV systems for real-time underwater inspection and maintenance of offshore wind structures. These cutting-edge technologies will enhance the reliability and scalability of offshore wind O&M while reducing costs and improving safety.
Major Benefits & Environmental Impact
The integration of robotics, AI, and data analytics is expected to:
✅ Reduce CO₂ emissions by up to 15 million tons by minimizing fossil fuel-based logistics
✅ Enhance worker safety by limiting human exposure to extreme offshore conditions
✅ Lower operational costs through automation and predictive maintenance
Testing & Demonstrations
To validate these solutions, AEROSUB will conduct real-world testing at:
ATLANTIS Test Center – for initial AI and robotic validation
OceanWinds WindFloat Atlantic – a commercial offshore wind farm for full-scale demonstrations
Overcoming Challenges & Shaping the Future
Beyond technology development, AEROSUB aims to:
Break regulatory and technological barriers to accelerate adoption
Demonstrate adaptability & scalability across European offshore sites
Democratize access to O&M service providers by increasing automation and efficiency
More on project here.
