The energy industry, particularly offshore, is increasingly turning to remote operations to improve safety, efficiency, and sustainability while reducing costs. Autonomous robots are ideal for supporting remote operations as they can operate in hazardous environments and perform tasks from a distance. However, having an autonomous robot is just the first step – the mission and purpose must be clearly defined before the operation. Essential sensors are needed, and the software controlling the motion and making decisions must be integrated into the robot. Proper task planning and necessary support equipment, such as power and communication systems, are required, and the robot must undergo repeated testing before actual operations to eliminate potential issues. After all this, we can expect robots to perform reliable inspections and deliver quality data.

Understanding the pros and cons of autonomous robots, along with the full ecosystem of autonomous operation, is crucial for minimizing risk and ensuring profitable operations.

The Subsea Systems Institute (SSI), in collaboration with SPRINT Robotics, has developed an Automation and Autonomy course to promote autonomous robots in the energy industry. This course provides a comprehensive overview of autonomous robots, describes how autonomy is realized, and demonstrates how autonomous robots should be implemented. The course highlights include:

• An overview of autonomous robots and the latest developments in autonomy.
• Systematic discussion of the essential hardware and software components of an autonomous robot.
• The principles of autonomous navigation and localization, which are core techniques enabling robots to perform programmed operations without human control and supervision.
• Hands-on projects to provide participants with a practical understanding and learning experience.