For tidal power generation, it is essential to evaluate the influence of turbulence, to date this influence has not been considered. Therefore, as part of the project to promote the practical application of tidal power generation technology in cooperation with the Nagasaki Marine Industry Cluster Promotion Association, it is proposed to ensure sufficient data, in terms of both quantity and quality are taken at the proposed experimental site at Naruseto in the Goto Islands.

Robots are becoming increasingly essential for the cost effective and safe inspection of structures around the world. Particularly in Japan, the aging of transport system infrastructures such as bridges is becoming increasingly a problem and as such legal regulations have mandated maintenance obligations. As conventional manual inspection is both expensive and dangerous, development of a robotic system to assist in this process is most desirable.
An inspection robot has been developed to inspect cables on cable supported bridges in Nagasaki. This research was based on local needs and supported of by a local company. The mechanism is the first of its’ kind, it is drone based and clips around the cable to be inspected. The robot is equipped with cameras that transmit cable image data back to a base station in real time, thus providing a reliable, safe, fast and low cost inspection system that can even be carried out even in high winds. This system could provide significant improvement in the efficiency of inspection of cable supported bridge cables nationwide.

Fig. 1. Cable bridge - cable inspection robot

A contactless connector has been developed to provide data transmission and charging for the underwater robot, this connector represents significant technical innovation and is expected to have a wide range of potential applications. This connector once firmly connected provides a high level of charging efficiency as well as high speed data transmission and yet is lightweight and is not affected by the underwater environment. This research and development has been conducted in collaboration with the Industrial Technology Center of Nagasaki and other companies. This connection technology is also expected to be adaptable to provide secure charging and data connection to remotely operated surface vessels under rough conditions and further increase the operating efficiency of such underwater or surface vessels when in use during construction work or maintenance inspections.

Fig. 2. Utilization of contactless charging and data transfer system for underwater robot

The purpose of this research is to investigate the marine ecosystem around the Sakiyamaoki floating offshore wind power generation test site in the Goto Islands Nagasaki. By using various means including biotracking the investigation aims to understand the kinds of marine life that exist in and around the test site, including distribution, movement and spawning. This research is been conducted by the Marine energy fisheries union center in cooperation with the National association for the promotion of marine culture.