This investment expands the ORE Catapult’s on-site facilities in Blyth to support the testing and validation of surface, sub surface aerial robotic systems. The new facility will consist of control room for testing operations within the docks, a central command centre, which will monitor all operations both within the docks and covering the offshore test site. It is set to be the first of its kind in the UK dedicated to offshore wind, enabling robotic technology developers to access representative, onshore and offshore test and demonstration environments. It will also form key infrastructure behind the drive to increase robotic intervention in the safety, cost reduction and efficiency of offshore wind farm operations.

Further information on the new facilities can be found here.