Vestas has launched BladeRobots as a standalone company with an automated robotic technology solution that it says will enable a highly efficient and scalable solution for blade leading edge maintenance.
The solution is originally developed and incubated at Vestas and has been spun out as standalone company to accelerate time-to-market and build scale.
BladeRobots offers a unique solution that performs automated blade leading edge maintenance up to four times faster than conventional manual methods, Vestas said.
This results in a cost-competitive and highly scalable solution with improved safety standards for the involved technicians and can improve wind turbines’ Annual Energy Production by restoring the aerodynamic performance and reducing turbine downtime, it added.
The robotic solution leverages artificial intelligence to quickly adapt to all blade types in the industry.
BladeRobots will be headed by Michael Thorup Svensson, currently chief executive at Ventus Wind Services.
Johnny Thomsen, former co-chief executive of MHI Vestas Offshore Wind, will serve as chairman.
He said: “Wind energy will play an increasingly central role in the global energy system, and it is key that we deliver optimal efficiency throughout the operational life of wind turbines.
“With BladeRobots’automised robotic solution, the wind industry has a new effective and scalable solution to improve wind turbine performance.”
BladeRobots has secured a first round of funding from Skagen Blade Technology ApS, a Danish-based wind turbine service provider who becomes minority shareholder.
Vestas Ventures, the corporate venture capital arm of Vestas, will have a majority ownership share of the company.