Advancing Offshore Underwater Applications using a Robotic System with Robust Navigation and Virtual Supervision Capabilities

Abstract

The global energy crisis and climate concerns have led to a significant migration towards renewable energy sources, with the offshore wind farm industry experiencing substantial growth. This paper focuses on the feasibility of using and extending the existing cooperative robotic infrastructure for aiding the installation of offshore micropiles for wind farm deployment. The study incorporates a digital twin representation of systems in the marine industry, enabled by Internet of Things (IoT) technologies, to enhance productivity, operational efficiency, and safety. The paper introduces a network topology for remote supervision of distributed multivehicle systems and extends the OceanRINGS+ supervision interface for 3D visualisation and interaction of the ship-ROVanchoring system. The research demonstrates the autonomous navigation capability of the system and fault-tolerant guidance, navigation, and control system of underwater vehicles. This work contributes to the transition from Human-In-The-Loop (HIL) systems to Human-On-The-Loop (HOL) systems for offshore operations, providing potential cost savings, reduced stress for operators, and improved focus on mission objectives.