Thu, 11 February, 2021
The Innovate UK-funded iFROG Project has delivered a mobile amphibious robotic inspection platform for offshore wind, oil and gas, aerospace and rail applications.
Using non-destructive ultrasonic and eddy current inspection techniques, the platform was originally designed for use in the offshore wind industry.
TWI worked with Cambridge-based InnoTecUK, the Offshore Renewable Energy Catapult, and Brunel Innovation Centre to develop the robot during the two-year project to provide a step-change in how offshore wind foundations are inspected.
With final testing now underway, iFROG is soon to be introduced to the marketplace, offering a number of benefits to industry.
iFROG uses magnetic adhesion to attach to offshore wind structures and is able to perform up to 60 metres below the surface of the waves. The system is able to check for problems like corrosion, loss of weld integrity and biofouling as well as being able to provide condition reports and allow for optimised maintenance strategies.
You can see more about the iFROG system in a short video produced by InnoTechUK, here.
The iFROG project has received funding from Innovate UK under No. 103991