Bio-inspired co-design: Integrating robotic maintenance considerations into turbine architecture

The sustainable growth of wind energy is critically challenged by the high cost and danger of inspecting and maintaining infrastructure, particularly in remote offshore locations. This review contends that bio-inspired and soft robotics present a transformative pathway toward autonomous and resilient wind farm operations. Our synthesis is built upon a systematic analysis of the convergence of biology and robotics, a focused evaluation of advancements in agile mobility and robust autonomy for harsh environments, and a critical appraisal of robotic inspection and repair. We demonstrate how principles from nature, such as animal locomotion, perception, and collective intelligence, are being harnessed to create robots that can navigate complex turbine structures, perform detailed inspections, and execute in situ repairs. The review culminates in a technology readiness roadmap, asserting that these interdisciplinary approaches are essential for significantly reducing the Levelized Cost of Energy (LCOE) and securing the future of wind power.