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Meet the world’s first AI-driven autonomous underwater vehicle [video]
Offshore wind technology company Beam has deployed the world’s first AI-driven autonomous underwater vehicle (AUV) – a breakthrough in offshore wind inspections.
The cutting-edge tech was put to the test at Seagreen, Scotland’s largest offshore site, which is a joint project between SSE Renewables, TotalEnergies, and PTTEP.
This new AI-driven autonomous underwater vehicle is a game changer for how underwater inspections are done, as it makes them faster and more affordable. The system is fully autonomous, meaning it can perform detailed inspections without any human involvement and send data directly back to shore.
Why this matters
Traditionally, inspections at offshore wind farms have been time-consuming, manual operations. Beam’s AI-driven AUV can handle these tasks on its own, cutting inspection times by up to 50%. That means lower costs and fewer people needed offshore. Plus, the vehicle’s advanced tech gathers better data, including 3D models, so teams can make more informed decisions about asset maintenance.
The Aberdeen, Scotland-headquartered Beam is planning to expand this technology across its entire fleet over the next few years, with full deployment expected by 2026.
“We’re thrilled to have rolled out the world’s first AI-driven underwater vehicle,” said Beam’s CEO Brian Allen. “This tech is going to reshape how we maintain and inspect offshore wind farms by cutting down both costs and time. This success wouldn’t be possible without forward-thinking partners like SSE Renewables.”
Seagreen wind farm: A testing ground for new tech
Seagreen, at 58.6 meters (192 feet) and online since late 2023, is the deepest fixed-bottom offshore wind farm in the world. Beam’s autonomous vehicle has already provided crucial data from the site, including insights on marine growth and erosion, which will help ensure the long-term reliability of the wind farm.
Matthew Henderson from SSE Renewables emphasized the safety and efficiency gains: “Beam’s technology allows us to reduce the number of people we send offshore, speed up inspections, and get high-quality data that’s critical as we push into deeper waters.”
What’s next for the AI-driven autonomous underwater vehicle?
Beam’s AI-powered inspection tech is set to be rolled out across its fleet in 2025 and 2026. The company hopes this innovation will play a key role in making offshore wind operations more efficient and cost-effective, supporting the global shift toward clean energy.
Check out the video below to learn more about the AI-powered AUV:
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Environment
U.S. crude oil falls below $60 a barrel to lowest since 2021 on tariff-fueled recession fears
A view shows disused oil pump jacks at the Airankol oil field operated by Caspiy Neft in the Atyrau Region, Kazakhstan April 2, 2025.
Pavel Mikheyev | Reuters
U.S. oil prices dropped below $60 a barrel on Sunday on fears President Donald Trump’s global tariffs would push the U.S., and maybe the world, into a recession.
Futures tied to U.S. West Texas intermediate crude fell more than 3% to $59.74 on Sunday night. The move comes after back-to-back 6% declines last week. WTI is now at the lowest since April 2021.
Worries are mounting that tariffs could lead to higher prices for businesses, which could lead to a slowdown in economic activity that would ultimately hurt demand for oil.
Oil futures, 5 years
The tariffs, which are set to take effect this week, “would likely push the U.S. and possibly global economy into recession this year,” according to JPMorgan. The firm on Thursday raised its odds of a recession this year to 60% following the tariff rollout, up from 40%.
Fueled by incentives from the Illinois EPA and the state’s largest utility company, new EV registrations nearly quadrupled the 12% first-quarter increase in EV registrations nationally – and there are no signs the state is slowing down.
Despite the dramatic slowdown of Tesla’s US deliveries, sales of electric vehicles overall have perked up in recent months, with Illinois’ EV adoption rate well above the Q1 uptick nationally. Crain’s Chicago Business reports that the number of new EVs registered across the state totaled 9,821 January through March, compared with “just” 6,535 EVs registered in the state during the same period in 2024.
Those numbers represent more than 50% growth in EV registrations – far beyond the expected 12% first-quarter increase nationally being projected by Cox Automotive. (!)
What’s going on in Illinois?
While President Trump and Elmo were running for re-election, they campaigned on the threat promise of canceling the $7,500 federal tax credit for EVs. Along with California Governor Gavin Newsom, Illinois’ Governor JB Pritzker made countermoves – launching a $4,000 rebate for new electric cars and up to $1,500 for the purchase of a new electric motorcycle.
At the same time, the state’s largest utility, ComEd, launched a $90 million EV incentive program featuring a new Point of Purchase initiative to deliver instant discounts to qualifying business and public sector customers who make the switch to electric vehicles. That program has driven a surge in Class 3-6 medium duty commercial EVs, which are eligible fro $20-30,000 in utility rebates on top of federal tax credits and other incentives (Class 1-2 EVs are eligible for up to $7,500).
We covered the launch of those incentives when the program was announced at Chicago Drives Electric last year, but the message here is simple: incentives work.
SOURCES: Chicago Business, Ray Cunningham; featured image by the author.
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The electric construction equipment experts at XCMG just released a new, 25 ton electric crawler excavator ahead of bauma 2025 – and they have their eye on the global urban construction, mine operations, and logistical material handling markets.
Powered by a high-capacity 400 kWh lithium iron phosphate battery capable of delivering up to 8 hours of continuous operation, the XE215EV electric excavator promises uninterrupted operation at a lower cost of ownership and with even less downtime than its diesel counterparts.
XCMG is delivering on part of that reduced downtime promise with the lower maintenance and easier repair needs of electric equipment, and delivering on the rest of it with lickety-quick DC fast charging that can recharge the machine’s massive battery in 1.5-2 hours … but that’s not the slick bit. The XCMG XE125EV can be powered up without leaving the job site thanks to its BYD battery swap technology.
We first covered XCMG and its battery swap technology back in January, and covered similar battery-swap tech being developed by MOOG Construction offshoot ZQUIP, as well – but while XCMG’s battery tech has been in production for several years, it’s still not widely known about in the West (even within the industry).
XCMG showed off its latest electric equipment at the December 2024 bauma China, including an updated version of its of its 85-ton autonomous electric mining truck that features a fully cab-less design – meaning there isn’t even a place for an operator to sit, let alone operate. And that’s too bad, because what operator wouldn’t want to experience an electric truck putting down 1070 hp more than 16,000 lb-ft of torque!?
Easy in, easy out
The best part? All of the company’s heavy equipment assets – from excavators to terminal tractors to dump trucks and wheel loaders – all use the same 400 kWh BYD battery packs, Milwaukee tool style. That means an equipment fleet can utilize x number of vehicles with a fraction of the total battery capacity and material needs of other asset brands. That’s not just a smart use of limited materials, it’s a smarter use of energy.
You can check out all the XE215EV’s specs at this tear sheet, and get an in-person look at the Chinese company’s latest electric excavator this week in Munich, Germany.
SOURCE | IMAGES: XCMG.
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