Subsea Intervention & Survey

Rovco, a subsea ROV and hydrographic survey provider is poised to create 70 high-skilled jobs and access a global market worth over £100million. Rovco’s 3D computer vision technology, created for the offshore renewable energy industry, is paving the way for autonomous underwater inspections.

Their innovative computer vision tools provide asset data of the highest quality and true to life, three dimensional graphical models of subsea infrastructure. These tools will allow operators to remotely inspect offshore wind farms below the waterline from the comfort of their shore-based desk.

The company’s potential to lower the cost of subsea inspections by 80% has seen it become the latest renewable energy innovator to feature in the Backing the Game Changers series.

Rovco’s pioneering technology is currently being tested at Offshore Renewable Energy (ORE) Catapult’s test and demonstration facility in Blyth.

Brian Allen, CEO of Rovco, said: “The world is becoming ever more autonomous, and these technologies are poised to take over in the oil, gas and renewables industries.

“Our 3D vision technology currently being tested in Blyth creates real-time visual 3D data and stereo images of the seabed and structures underwater. The technology helps technicians quickly identify issues, facilitating accurate predictions of asset lifespan and risk.

“Most importantly, it has the potential to lower the cost of subsea inspections by 80%, helping to make offshore wind a cheaper, low-carbon energy source.

“The UK is poised to lead the way in the development of autonomous technologies. Our technology has an estimated export value of £20million, and we expect to create around 70 high-skilled jobs in research and subsea operations.”

Darren Broderick, senior project manager at ORE Catapult, said: “We believe robotics and artificial intelligence are on course to disrupt the offshore renewable energy supply chain. Over the next 10 years, autonomous and AI-driven monitoring systems will become commonplace, helping developers remotely inspect wind farms far offshore.

“Rovco is one of a number of companies we are working with, lending them expertise, access to our test and demonstration facilities and support to access funding.”

The Backing the Game Changers website is home to a series of films showcasing the work of UK SMEs and individuals who are making their mark on the offshore renewable energy sector.