The AEROSUB – Automated Inspection Robots for Surface, Aerial and Underwater Substructures project, led by INESC TEC and funded by the European Union through the Horizon Europe programme, has successfully completed its first year of activity, marking significant progress in the development of advanced robotic solutions for offshore wind operation and maintenance.
Launched in December 2024 and running until 2028, AEROSUB brings together 16 partners from 6 European countries, combining research, industry and technology development to deliver solutions based on artificial intelligence, digital twins and multi-robot systems.
During its first year, the consortium achieved key milestones in the integration of robotics, automation and advanced data analytics in demanding offshore environments. Early developments demonstrate strong potential to improve the accuracy of aerial and underwater inspections, enhance condition monitoring of critical infrastructure and support smarter maintenance planning.
Engagement with the scientific, industrial and institutional communities has been a central element of the project from the outset. Over the past year, AEROSUB partners have participated in more than 10 national and international events, fostering knowledge exchange with the offshore wind, robotics and energy sectors, and showcasing innovative solutions for inspection and intervention in offshore wind farms.
As the project enters its second year, we are focused on scaling up the developed solutions and integrating higher levels of AI-driven autonomy across all robotic platforms. Large-scale pilots at multiple offshore wind farms are planned, with testing under real operating conditions covering complex inspection, maintenance and intervention tasks.
Looking ahead, INESC TEC will host the AI, Data, Robotics Forum in Porto in 2026, where AEROSUB will present its strategic priorities and next steps towards establishing a safer, more efficient and sustainable model for offshore wind operation and maintenance across Europe.
