The Offshore Robotics for the Certification of Assets (ORCA) Hub is a research programme developing Robotics, Artificial Intelligence and Autonomous Systems for the offshore sector.
It brings together five world-class universities - Heriot-Watt University, the University of Edinburgh, Imperial College London, the University of Oxford and the University of Liverpool - and over thirty industry partners, who together will revolutionise Asset Integrity Management for cheaper, safer and more efficient production.
Led by the Edinburgh Centre for Robotics (ECR), a joint-venture between Heriot-Watt University and the University of Edinburgh, the university partners are carrying out research and discovery science, with support from our industry partners, in the following areas:
- Mapping, Surveying & Inspection
- Planning, Control & Manipulation
- Human-Robot Interaction with Explainable AI
- Robot & Asset Self-Certification
Working with industry to develop technology in the field of Robotics, AI and Autonomous Systems, all the way through the Technology Readiness Level (TRL) scale, the hub's mission is to translate research and discovery science into commercial products and services in order to support the UK offshore supply chain and make it the most productive in the world.
Ultimately, the ORCA Hub will support a long-term offshore industry vision for autonomous and semi-autonomous offshore energy fields; operated, inspected and maintained from shore.
It brings together five world-class universities - Heriot-Watt University, the University of Edinburgh, Imperial College London, the University of Oxford and the University of Liverpool - and over thirty industry partners, who together will revolutionise Asset Integrity Management for cheaper, safer and more efficient production.
Led by the Edinburgh Centre for Robotics (ECR), a joint-venture between Heriot-Watt University and the University of Edinburgh, the university partners are carrying out research and discovery science, with support from our industry partners, in the following areas:
- Mapping, Surveying & Inspection
- Planning, Control & Manipulation
- Human-Robot Interaction with Explainable AI
- Robot & Asset Self-Certification
Working with industry to develop technology in the field of Robotics, AI and Autonomous Systems, all the way through the Technology Readiness Level (TRL) scale, the hub's mission is to translate research and discovery science into commercial products and services in order to support the UK offshore supply chain and make it the most productive in the world.
Ultimately, the ORCA Hub will support a long-term offshore industry vision for autonomous and semi-autonomous offshore energy fields; operated, inspected and maintained from shore.
Location: United Kingdom, Scotland, City of Edinburgh
Employees: 51-200
Total raised: $3.49M
Founded date: 2017
Funding Rounds 1
| Date | Series | Amount | Investors |
| 17.06.2021 | - | $3.49M | - |
Mentions in press and media 4
| Date | Title | Description |
| 17.06.2021 | ORCA Hub Funding to Help Develop Safety Robotics Research | Heriot-Watt based ORCA Hub will be expanding its robotics technology research after a generous grant from UK Research & Innovation (UKRI). Using robotics technology for offshore infrastructure inspection and repair safety is “moving a s... |
| 17.06.2021 | Edinburgh’s ORCA Hub receives £2.5 million in further funding, aims to make offshore energy safer | Edinburgh-based offshore robotics researcher ORCA Hub has secured £2.5 million from UK Research & Innovation (UKRI) to support its goal of making offshore energy safer and fully digitised. The Hub reports that £1.9 million of the fundin... |
| 18.05.2021 | Comment | The Challenges and Opportunities of Big Data | Many businesses, organisations and government departments are increasingly interested in unlocking the value of big data analytics to gain a detailed insight into their stakeholders and market trends. However, this fascination with Big Data... |
| - | Edinburgh’s ORCA Hub receives £2.5 million in further funding, aims to make offshore energy safer | Edinburgh-based offshore robotics researcher ORCA Hub has secured £2.5 million from UK Research & Innovation (UKRI) to support its goal of making offshore energy safer and fully digitised. The Hub reports that £1.9 million of the fundin... |