Institution news
Dan explained his role and involvement with regards to the seminar, critical engineering challenges, what he is looking forward to at the event and why it is important for professionals to attend.
Q: Briefly explain your role and involvement within Robotics and Autonomous Systems in Offshore Wind?
Dan Hook (DH): ASV (now L3 Technologies) was one of the pioneers of unmanned marine robotics in the defence, oil and gas and ocean science sectors. As one of the founders of that company and Managing Director for nearly ten years I was heavily involved in the roll out of this technology. The survey and inspection techniques developed with ASVs are ready for deployment in the wind farm industry. We have been completing some initial proof of concept trials in both the UK and US, looking at both site characterisation and IRM.
Q: What is the number one challenge for those using or benefitting from these technologies in today’s current market?
DH: I think we still have some way to go in developing the ‘trust’ that people have with traditional methods but this is building fast.
Q: What is the most exciting development in this field at the moment, either within your company or in the industry in general?
DH: For me, the biggest and most exciting development has been the integration of an inspection class ROV in to an ASV. We completed this under an InnovateUK supported project called ARISE and I see this technology being incredibly important in the future of offshore IRM.
Q: Where do you see the future of Robotics and Autonomous Systems in Offshore Wind going in the next 5–10 years?
DH: Within that time frame I think it will become a ‘normal’ thing for shallow water deployment of multibeam sonar and an increasingly common way of deploying inspection class ROVs and allowing operators to stay ashore or on service platforms, not small vessels.
Q: What key things can attendees expect to learn from your presentation?
DH: I will give an update on real-world deployments and what is real and what is still at an R&D stage. I will give an update on operations/training/regulations and show how quickly this industry is maturing.
Q: What other presentations or topics are you looking forward to hearing more about at the forthcoming seminar?
DH: I am looking forward to hearing more about the use of AI in processing the vast amounts of inspection data that the improved autonomous platforms can collect.
Q: Why do you feel it is important for all professionals to join this seminar?
DH: It is one of the fastest growing industrial sectors, especially within marine. It is important to see how as companies and individuals we can get involved. I am especially interested in how technologies from other sectors can be transferred in.
Robotics and Autonomous Systems in Offshore Wind Operation and Maintenance Services takes place on 23 May 2019 at One Birdcage Walk, London. Join this seminar to:
- Hear from leading organisations about the challenges facing the delivery of Offshore Wind O&M services and opportunities for cost reduction and health and safety improvements
- Understand how Robotics and Autonomous Systems (RAS) can reduce OPEX and improve energy generation and health and safety
- Learn about the latest developments in RAS applied to Offshore Wind O&M and ongoing demonstration projects
- Meet and discuss with RAS experts including leading academic, research and test centres and end users in the offshore wind industry
- Ask key questions about how RAS can be applied to your specific operations and maintenance needs during the Q&A sessions following each presentation
To book your place, please visit www.imeche.org/offshorewind.