What are the best practices for underwater robotics safety and maintenance?

1 Design considerations

One of the first steps to ensure underwater robotics safety and maintenance is to design them according to the specific requirements and conditions of the subsea project. This means choosing the appropriate type, size, shape, material, and configuration of the robot, as well as its sensors, actuators, power sources, communication systems, and software. The design should also consider the potential hazards and constraints of the underwater environment, such as pressure, temperature, salinity, currents, visibility, and obstacles. Moreover, the design should incorporate safety features, such as redundancy, fault tolerance, self-diagnosis, and emergency procedures.

2 Testing and calibration

Before deploying underwater robots in the field, it is essential to test and calibrate them in a controlled environment, such as a pool or a tank. This allows verifying their functionality, performance, accuracy, and stability, as well as identifying and correcting any defects or errors. Testing and calibration should also be repeated periodically during the project, to monitor and maintain the quality and consistency of the robot's operation. Additionally, testing and calibration can help to train and familiarize the operators and technicians with the robot's capabilities and limitations.

3 Deployment and recovery

Another important aspect of underwater robotics safety and maintenance is the deployment and recovery of the robots in and out of the water. This involves using suitable equipment, such as cranes, winches, cables, and launchers, to handle and transport the robots securely and smoothly. It also requires following proper procedures, such as checking the weather and sea conditions, ensuring the compatibility and connectivity of the robot and the support vessel, and coordinating the timing and location of the deployment and recovery. Furthermore, it is advisable to inspect and clean the robot before and after each deployment and recovery, to remove any dirt, debris, or damage that may affect its function.

4 Operation and control

The operation and control of underwater robots is a critical factor for their safety and maintenance, as it determines how they execute their tasks and interact with their surroundings. Depending on the level of autonomy and intelligence of the robot, the operation and control can be done remotely by human operators, or autonomously by the robot itself, or by a combination of both. In any case, it is important to have clear and reliable communication between the robot and the operator, to monitor the robot's status, location, and actions, and to intervene or adjust as needed. It is also important to follow ethical and legal guidelines, to respect the environment and other stakeholders, and to avoid any conflicts or accidents.

5 Data management and analysis

The data collected and generated by underwater robots is a valuable asset for subsea engineering, as it can provide insights and information about the subsea environment, structures, and processes. However, managing and analyzing this data also poses some challenges and opportunities for underwater robotics safety and maintenance. For instance, it is necessary to ensure the integrity, security, and accessibility of the data, to store it in appropriate formats and platforms, and to protect it from unauthorized or malicious use. It is also beneficial to use the data to evaluate and improve the robot's performance, efficiency, and effectiveness, as well as to identify and solve any problems or issues.

6 Here’s what else to consider

This is a space to share examples, stories, or insights that don’t fit into any of the previous sections. What else would you like to add?