Marine-i has agreed to support the next stage of development for a futuristic robotic arm designed by Submarine Technology Limited (STL).
Part-funded by the European Regional Development Fund, Marine-i helps the marine technology sector in Cornwall and the Isles of Scilly grow through harnessing the full potential of research and innovation.
STL’s innovation is a ship-based multi-axis robotic arm for autonomous operations. It will form an integral part of a new Autonomous Synchronised Stabilised Platform (ASSP) to enable intervention tasks to be carried from Autonomous Surface Vessels (ASV). Typical intervention tasks will include equipment transfer and payload management, survey and inspection, launch and recovery.
The aim of this next stage was to develop a Remote Sensing System to allow STL’s hydraulically actuated robotic systems to achieve ‘Synchronous-Stabilisation’ without the need for data communication between the moving target and the host vessel.
STL technical director, Peter Back, said: “The structured RD&I programme that Marine-i have worked on with us is helping us bring our pioneering innovation to market quicker than might otherwise be possible.
“It’s also fantastic to have access to world-class testing facilities here in the South West, to help us refine and test our approach.”
Prof Lars Johanning, programme director for Marine-i, added: “This project by STL is at the cutting-edge of science. As far as we are aware, there is no directly comparable full system solution with identified innovative functions that is currently available.
“Our work with STL is helping to put Cornwall at the forefront of developing a new marine technology for the International offshore energy sector, as well as offering functions in a number of other offshore sectors, including oil and gas and aquaculture.”
