Offshore Wind - Robotics Field Trip
13 July 2026
AI, robotics and autonomous systems are becoming increasingly relevant to offshore wind. But what do these technologies actually look like in practice?
Join the OWI-Lab Academy and Offshore For Sure on 12 October 2026 for an afternoon combining short introductions, research examples and a field trip to companies working with robotics and autonomous technologies in the complex offshore environment.
We’ll start with a brief introduction to the topic, including Howest’s new research line on Physical AI - the combination of AI, sensors and robotics to enable intelligent interaction with the physical world. We’ll also look at examples from offshore wind, including drone-based blade inspection through the BLEEPID project and the AI4Blades Challenge.
Then we head out for the Robotics Field Trip in the port of Ostend, visiting:
Exail – underwater robotic systems for mine detection with technologies which are also applied across the group to offshore wind, from seabed surveys to inspection and maintenance.
VLIZ Marine Robotics Centre – autonomous and remotely operated marine systems, including AUVs, USVs, ROVs and gliders.
GEOxyz – uncrewed offshore wind vessels and autonomous maritime data acquisition.
The afternoon is an accessible introduction to AI and robotics in offshore wind, with the emphasis on seeing the technologies and their applications in real life.
Programme
12:00 – Lunch
12:45 – Introduction to Offshore For Sure & OWI-Lab Academy
13:00 – Physical AI at Howest
Physical AI merges perception, reasoning and control so machines can sense, decide and act in the physical world. Not just process text or images. We walk through what it actually takes to get there today, from synthetic data and sim to real training to the latest thinking on humanoids, quadrupeds and System 1/2 style control, grounded in Howest's AI Lab own research.
13:30 – Flying drones for offshore applications: the West Flanders ecosystem
Sven Nachtergaele (POM West-Vlaanderen) will introduce the flying drone ecosystem in West Flanders and its relevance to the offshore sector. The presentation will highlight current developments, opportunities for offshore applications and collaboration, and offer a brief outlook on future possibilities.
14.00 – BLEEPID project & AI4Blades
Jonathan Sterckx (Ghent University) will showcase how drones and AI are used to quantify erosion on offshore turbine blades in the BLEEPID project through 3D-imaging, including insights from real offshore field tests. Jonathan will also briefly present the AI solution that won the WindEurope “AI4Blades” challenge.
14:30 – Robotics Field Trip, visiting GEOxyz, Exail & VLIZ Marine Robotics Centre
17:00 – End
Practical information
📅 12 October 2026
📍 InnovOcean Campus, Jacobsenstraat 1, Oostende
🍴 Lunch included
🚌 Transport during the field trip included
Getting there
The InnovOcean Campus is easily accessible by public transport. From Oostende railway station, take the coastal tram towards Knokke and get off at Vismijn (approx. 5 min). From there, it’s about a 5 minute walk to the campus via Hendrik Baelskaai and Jacobsenstraat.
Who can join?
Participation is free for any researchers from Belgian knowledge institutes working on offshore wind research.
How to register
Participation is free, but registration is mandatory. Please register here: