The project “Evaluation and Demonstration of Robotic Solutions” is part of the collaborative R&D project “Robots in Tanks” (ROT). ROT lays the foundation for the application of robotic systems in the inspection and maintenance of tanks that are complex and difficult to access, as for instance ballast water tanks (BWTs) on ships. The project develops new concepts for adaptive, mobile and (partly) autonomous robots that are needed to operate under the extreme conditions (narrow, inaccessible, dirty) typical for BWTs . These concepts build on and extend the current state-of-the-art, combining adequate methods for locomotion, new designs of control- and system architectures, efficient communication technologies for closed spaces, as well as the necessary sensors and actuators. To demonstrate the concepts, the technical key components of the system will be thoroughly tested, among others using a to-scale ballast water tank “test-bed” specifically developed for this project. In a addition to a concept for robots in tanks, ROT develops recommendations for the “robot-friendly” construction of ballast water tanks. A close cooperation with shipyards (Meyer Werft), classification societies (DNV), and maritime consultants (BALance) throughout the project ensures the conformity of all developed concepts and recommendations with international standards and regulations.
Partners
Meyer Werft (Koordinator) Det Norske Veritas AS (DNV), Norwegen BALance Technology Consulting (subcontractor)
