Edinburgh-based Frontier Robotics is commercialising its remotely operated underwater vehicles for deployment at an offshore wind simulation facility.

The robotics startup based in the National Robotarium has reached the milestone by making its first commercial sale with the Offshore Renewable Energy (ORE) Catapult, a UK offshore renewables technology innovation centres.

Frontier Robotics has developed state-of-the-art cameras that can be deployed on remotely operated underwater vehicles that will allow these robots to take realistic images of offshore assets like wind platforms and wind turbines, which can then be used in a simulator to emulate real-life situations.

“Seeing Frontier Robotics develop from incorporation to now securing its first sale demonstrates what’s possible when we properly support innovation in Scotland’s high-growth sectors. Its success creates benefits that extend far beyond one company – strengthening our robotics ecosystem while helping critical industries like offshore energy operate more sustainably,” Lisa Farrell, Business Development Manager at the National Robotarium, where the company is based, said.

“This is exactly why the National Robotarium exists – to help promising technologies move from concept to commercial reality. We create an environment where talented innovators can access specialised resources rarely found in one location.”

Inspection and maintenance of offshore assets – backbones of Scotand’s energy transition – can be made complicated by the unpredictable nature of the world’s oceans. Murky, wavy water can be a barrier to accurate monitoring and image taking.

Frontier Robotics’ system leverages sensor fusion techniques to bypass these obstacles, offering enhanced visual clarity and 3D mapping  through Simultaneous Localisation and Mapping (SLAM) technology.

SLAM enables the underwater robots to create comprehensive 3D maps of their surroundings, all the while generating locational data, providing the foundations for automated and autonomous operations.

With the UK’s offshore wind sector featuring more than 2,600 turbines across 43 wind farms requiring up t three maintenance checks a year, the new technology can help address critical challenges in the industry.

These operations can account for up to a fifth of total offshore wind emissions through vessel operations and helicopter transfers. The new system offers a way to reduce costs and carbon footprints, while offering faster and better decision making.

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“Offshore renewable asset inspection is a very challenging and hazardous task in the energy sector. With the UK’s ambitious offshore expansion plans, innovative systems that enhance safety and efficiency aren’t just beneficial – they’re essential,” Jonatan Scharff Willners, CEO of Frontier Robotics said.

“This sale to ORE Catapult is really important and helps demonstrate the value of our technology to the market. We’re grateful to the National Robotarium for their support. Being based there, we have access to world-class facilities and exceptional engineering talent and that has accelerated our development timeline.

“Our vision is to become the default autonomy provider for underwater inspections globally, transforming how the industry approaches maintenance and monitoring, and this sale is a major milestone in our journey to delivering that vision.”

Ken Chan, Robotics Operation Lead at ORE Catapult, said: “Our VDARE simulation platform has been created to accurately represent real world offshore assets and environments, with data integrated into our simulations that respond in real time.

“We have conducted underwater trials using robotics systems to map subsea environments, and have imported data mapping seabed structures, water clarity, temperature and salt levels to create interactive 3D scenes built on accurate, real-world measurements.

“Our mission is to de-risk offshore robotics and accelerate development timelines through affordable, modular, and scalable test environments, and the technology we are now using from Frontier Robotics is supporting us to do that.”