Offshore Center Denmark has set up a network for companies interested in underwater robots.
The need for sophisticated technology, used for extraction of oil from the oil fields in the North Sea and harnessing electricity from offshore wind farms, is on the rise. As more and more facilities are placed on the seabed, the demand for underwater robots and remotely operated underwater vehicles (ROV) is increasing as well.
In order to gather knowledge in the field and enable cooperation in the development of new technologies in underwater robotics a new Danish network was created.
“Underwater robotics is one of the business areas in the offshore industry experiencing growth. Demand for advanced solutions necessary to remove coatings on structures below the surface, underwater welding, repair of installations on the seabed or inspecting pipelines is growing. Now, we bring together all those interested in this niche area in a nationwide network,” explains project coordinator Klaus Jorgen Mølleskov, Offshore Center Denmark.
“The new network will be a gathering place for companies that want to share knowledge and discuss challenges and collaborate on future tasks in underwater robotics. In addition to creating a network across the offshore industry our goal is to build the foundation for innovative solutions aimed at offshore industry in the future,” says Klaus Jorgen Mølleskov.
The new network was established at a conference in February that brought together a number of suppliers of robotic solutions. Offshore Center Denmark launched the network under the title “Underwater Robot for Cleaning of Oil and Gas Platform Structures and Wind Turbine Foundations.”
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Press release, March 05, 2013; Image: mbari