Robosys Automation, in collaboration with USV manufacturer ACUA Ocean and the Offshore Renewable Energy Catapult (OREC), has secured grant funding through Innovate UK for the Collaborative Automations for Subsea Intervention (C.A.S.I) project.

This specialist project, led by Robosys, will support collaborative autonomy in Uncrewed Surface Vessels (USVs) and Remotely Operated Vehicles (ROVs), within Maritime Autonomous Surface Ships (MASS) operations.

It aims to address the growing need for improved operation and maintenance (O&M) and inspections of offshore assets using smarter, zero-emission, collaborative USV-ROV technologies.

Robosys will deliver two key work packages. The first focuses on Multiple Objective Autonomous Adaptive Path Optimization, including weather routing and fuel consumption optimization for both traditional fuels and hydrogen. The second package involves the development of software architecture and simulation for collaborative autonomy between USVs and ROVs. Robosys will also lead the design of software algorithms to aid station keeping and obstacle avoidance in uncharted offshore wind farms (OWF).

A core element of the project is a feasibility study, which includes software and algorithm design, as well as system architecture. This will help vessels navigate safely and efficiently to their station, hold position, and collaborate with, track, and autonomously follow an ROV.

This study will also assess the engineering feasibility of the ROV’s launch and recovery systems (LARS), exploring vessel stability and performance in challenging sea conditions.

The C.A.S.I project will support the maritime autonomy sector to advance dual-use operations like surveying, monitoring of critical offshore and underwater infrastructure, offshore energy, and marine science.

The innovative technologies intend to grow productivity, profitability, safety, and sustainability, with route optimization increasing vessel endurance and overcoming the effects of hydrogen’s low volumetric density.

Nigel Lee, CSO of Project Lead, Robosys Automation, stated, “We are all delighted to have been awarded this significant funding, and look forward to commencing the rolling out of the project with our collaborators. This award reflects the importance of continuing to research and develop the maritime autonomy sector, to further support operational efficiency, enhance safety at sea, and actively drive decarbonization.”

OREC itself will develop the test and evaluation criteria for the LARS and conduct a life cycle assessment.

ACUA Ocean will design a new technically advanced and commercially feasible ROV and LARS. These are optimized for stability in open ocean operations and the launch and recovery of payloads in wave heights over 13 feet.

Current subsea inspections require ROV deployments, relying on large, crewed diesel vessels. These are limited by safety, operational sea states, crewing, and vessel availability.

USV-ROV technologies therefore provide many advantages, with significant market potential. Global asset integrity management is forecast to increase from $23B in 2021 to $29B by 2026.