What is VDARE?

VDARE (Virtual Demonstration and Assessment for Robotic Environments) is a unique simulation platform, designed to fast track deployment of robotics and autonomous systems for offshore wind, that has been developed by experts at ORE Catapult. It allows companies to de-risk and accelerate the deployment of robotics in a range of offshore wind environments.

It is the first time that a simulation of this kind has used live environmental data that responds in real time, realistically simulating wind, wave and sea conditions, and parameters such as wind speed and wave height in a virtual offshore world. Underwater robots have mapped subsea environments and imported data on seabed structures, water clarity, temperature and salt levels to create interactive 3D scenes built on the real world. Within the virtual world, floating wind platforms, fixed bottom wind turbines and harbour operations are depicted within an offshore setting. Different robotic systems can also communicate with each other within the system.

A variety of UK locations are offered on VDARE, and the platform can also replicate international locations, with the inclusion of site-specific operational data.

VDARE is located within ORE Catapult’s National Renewable Energy Centre in Blyth, Northumberland, and represents the first stage in a test and validation programme, supporting robotics developers from concept to deployment.

VDARE was delivered with funding from Innovate UK’s Smart Shipping Acceleration Fund and OLTER (The Offshore Low Touch Energy Robotics and Autonomous Systems) project, part of the Net Zero Technology Transition Programme, created by the Net Zero Technology Centre.

What next for VDARE?

Showcasing VDARE’s capabilities, ORE Catapult teamed up with leading USV (unmanned surface vessel) company Acua Ocean to simulate deployment of the company’s hydrogen-powered equipment. The demonstration involved deploying an Unmanned Aerial Vehicle (UAV) from the Acua Ocean USV, where it successfully followed the USV autonomously and collected vital data.

Mike Tinmouth, Chief Operating Officer at Acua Ocean, said: “Working with ORE Catapult we have been able to develop a concept of operations in an operational environment such as an offshore wind farm or subsea data cables and simulate the deployment of payloads from USV PIONEER in different sea states and weather conditions. Whether this is the deployment of ROVs for subsea intervention work or UAS systems for aerial inspections, the VDARE platform enables us to develop a better understanding of operational requirements.”

Companies that have supplied sensors and robotics equipment to the VDARE project include Nortech Engineering and Frontier Robotics.

Frontier Robotics’ state-of-the-art camera can be mounted onto a remotely operated vehicle (ROV) to take true to life imagery of offshore assets such as wind turbines, and floating offshore wind platforms. These images once converted to 3D models and structures are then incorporated into ORE Catapult’s VDARE simulation to create virtually ‘real’ assets.

Nortek has developed the ‘Nucleus 1000’ which has an acoustic sensor that calculates an underwater vehicle’s velocity, relative to the seabed or water column, by measuring frequency shifts (Doppler effect) from returned sonar beams. It delivers precise velocity, heading, and altitude data, all in one system, significantly simplifying vehicle navigation and control on small Remote Operated Vehicles and Autonomous Underwater Vehicles.

What people are saying about it

“Creating a test environment that accurately reflects offshore conditions is a significant step forward for offshore wind robotics. Access to real life environmental data allows developers to test and refine autonomous systems earlier, improving reliability and reducing risk. This capability supports safer, low-intervention deployment at scale and plays a vital role in advancing dependable offshore operations as part of the wider energy transition.”

• Luca Corradi, Chief Technology Officer at the Net Zero Technology Centre

 “VDARE has the potential to be a game changer in the development of new robotics solutions supporting the roll out of offshore wind. By creating accurate real world offshore environments to put innovative robotics through their paces, we can help fast track their progression to commercialisation and gain valuable learning on how to overcome various technical challenges for the sector.   

“A huge amount of work has gone into ensuring that the digital environments we have built are truly reflective of the real-world conditions that robotic devices are likely to face in the development and maintenance of offshore wind farms.”

• Dr Cristina Garcia-Duffy, Director of Research and Technical Capabilities at ORE Catapult