Helgoland as a living lab: Ocean data driving materials research and robotics in the FORE-PAIR project
The offshore environment is one of the harshest technological proving grounds. Materials, coatings, sensors, and robotic systems are exposed to a unique interplay of biological, chemical, and physical stressors. Within the FORE-PAIR project, which aims to accelerate the maritime energy transition through advanced autonomous robotic inspection and maintenance, Fraunhofer IFAM is leveraging and expanding its capabilities at the Helgoland offshore test field to provide a robust foundation of environmental and ocean data.
In 2026, a new ocean measurement buoy will be deployed in the test field. It will continuously record key environmental parameters, including hydrodynamics, temperature gradients, nutrient concentrations, salinity fluctuations, seasonal biofouling pressure, turbidity, and atmospheric influences. These data form the basis for understanding real operating conditions that affect material degradation, coating performance, as well as the navigation of autonomous robots and the performance of sensor systems.
FORE-PAIR directly benefits from this environmental and materials data ecosystem. Autonomous underwater vehicles (AUVs) and robotic inspection tools – central elements of the project – must operate reliably under strong currents, changing visibility conditions, high biofouling intensity, and complex corrosion environments. The material and system tests documented at the Helgoland test field therefore provide essential baseline information for the development of long-lasting components and robust sensor housings.
Furthermore, the integration of Helgoland’s real time data into digital twins will help optimize AUV mission planning, inspection routines and predictive maintenance strategies. The measurement buoy adds an unprecedented level of temporal continuity to these datasets, ensuring that robotic systems can interpret their environment with the granularity required for autonomous operation.
By combining high resolution ocean data, advanced materials research, and robotics, the Helgoland test infrastructure strengthens FORE-PAIR’s mission to create safer, more efficient and more sustainable offshore energy systems – and accelerates innovation across floating wind, floating solar, marine sensors and hydrogen related material technologies.