In a wave tank at a robot laboratory in the Scottish capital, Edinburgh, engineers observe in silence as an underwater drone rises stealthily to the surface.
The team, which led the development of the remotely operated vehicle (ROV) at Heriot-Watt University, said the submersible machine is a game changer for offshore wind farms, obviating the need for divers.
The engineers said it would soon be ready to perform inspections and maintenance at wind farms, transforming the nature of the high-risk and costly endeavors just as the industry is set for huge expansion.
British Prime Minister Boris Johnson has promised to make the UK