Aker BP and Cognite announced a strategic initiative to explore how robotics systems can be used to make offshore operations safer, more efficient and more sustainable.

Cognite, a global industrial AI software-as-a-service (SaaS) company and Aker BP will do several tests using robots and drones on the Aker BP operated Skarv installation in the Norwegian Sea during 2020.

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The robotics systems will be tested to gauge their performance in autonomous inspection, high-quality data capture, and automatic report generation. Tasks may include aerial and underwater inspections, responding to leaks, performing work that takes humans out of harm’s way, and providing onshore operators with telepresence on offshore installations.

Among the robots involved in the initiative is Spot, the quadruped robot developed by Boston Dynamics. Cognite and Aker BP have tested Spot’s mobility in simulated oil and gas environments to ensure that it can access locations in these facilities too difficult to access through traditional automation.