Engineering Matters

#363 Uncrewed Vessels and Unprecedented Data

In its seventh Allocation Round the UK executed the largest offshore wind auction in European history, putting pen to paper on 8.4GW of new capacity, enough to power 10 million homes. Allocation Round 8 is expected to be even more ambitious, as the UK looks to upgrade its radar systems to enable a 10GW installation, according to Windtech International [https://www.windtech-international.com/industry-news/uk-radar-upgrades-to-enable-up-to-10-gw-of-offshore-wind-capacity]. Offshore wind projects require complete understanding of conditions on, and below, the seabed. As projects proliferate and demand for surveys and more accurate data becomes truly vast, the deployment of cutting edge technology becomes essential. Uncrewed surface vessels (USVs) patrolling the surface and remotely operated vehicles diving beneath the waves have been key to sustainable offshore operations. Not just in environmental terms and added human safety, but to achieve reasonable operational costs in increasingly asset-rich coastal seas. From the early, smaller vessels designed for a specific purpose, designers and builders have increased size and diversified the capabilities of individual platforms. Today, Fugro’s Blue Prism®, it’s first fully dedicated site screening geophysics USV –  can do much more. In this episode, we look at these state-of-the-art vessels, the challenges of multi-sensor data collection and how they can help meet the unprecedented demand for timely surveys. Guests Roger Birchall [https://www.linkedin.com/in/roger-birchall-6306b229/], Technical Authority – Geophysics, SSE Renewables Marco Gilisen [http://linkedin.com/in/marco-gilissen-1a29a233], Global Director – Marine Geophysics, Fugro Simon McIlroy, Survey Systems Architect, Fugro Resources To learn more about the Geo Risk Management Framework mentioned in the episode, listen to the first part of a three part episode we released last year: click here [https://engineeringmatters.reby.media/2025/12/18/357-well-grounded-build-decisions-part-1-site-selection/] Partner Fugro [https://www.fugro.com/] is the world’s leading Geo-data specialist, collecting and analysing comprehensive information about the Earth and the structures built upon it. Through integrated data acquisition, analysis and advice, Fugro unlocks insights from geo-data to help clients design, build and operate their assets in a safe, sustainable and efficient manner. The post #363 Uncrewed Vessels and Unprecedented Data [https://engineeringmatters.reby.media/2026/03/26/363-uncrewed-vessels-and-unprecedented-data/] first appeared on Engineering Matters [https://engineeringmatters.reby.media].

#362 Revisited: Skyscrapers, Predicting The Future

The London skyline is undergoing perhaps its most significant transformation in decades as a new ‘vertical renaissance’ is sending tremors of excitement from Guildhall to Mansion House. The City of London Corporation says that over half a million square metres of office space was granted planning permission in the City in 2025, equivalent to more than ten ‘Gherkins’ with around half of this amount already under construction.  This includes the leviathan 309.6m ‘1 Undershaft’ which will be as tall as the Shard when completed. But it is not all about the capacity, unlike the Financial Fortresses of the 20th century, as the earlier skyscrapers in the City were sometimes called, the new structures will be more open to the street, with pedestrian access, parks and commercial arcades, to make the city feel more vibrant and  less sterile, than it has to previous generations. The City’s largest office building, 22 Bishopsgate has led the way in a period of challenging economic headwinds, fully occupied and seeing record high rents, it is perhaps the first of these post-financial crash, vertical villages in the Square Mile that can be considered part of this renaissance. Guests Paul Hargreaves, Construction Director, Lipton Rogers [http://www.liptonrogers.com/] David Healy, Mechanical and Electrical Lead, WSP in the UK [https://www.wsp.com/en-GB] Amy Holtz, Director – Head of Sustainability, PLP Architecture [https://www.plparchitecture.com/] Diego Padilla-Philips, Technical Director, WSP in the UK [https://www.wsp.com/en-GB] Partner As one of the world’s leading engineering professional services consultancies, WSP [https://www.wsp.com/en-GB] brings clarity and vision to complex challenges. Their team of technical specialists and strategic advisers across the UK is part of a talented global family of expertise. Together, they ensure innovative solutions solve complex problems for our clients and the communities we serve, meeting both the needs of today and addressing the challenges of the future. The post #362 Revisited: Skyscrapers, Predicting The Future [https://engineeringmatters.reby.media/2026/03/12/362-revisited-skyscrapers-predicting-the-future/] first appeared on Engineering Matters [https://engineeringmatters.reby.media].

#361 Revisited: Space – The Robotic Age

Humanity’s furthest ever journey into space has been delayed. Again. An interruption to the flow of helium forced NASA to scrap the revised 6 March launch date of the Artemis II mission, and begin the slow process to roll the increasingly unfortunate rocket back to the vehicle assembly bay. While the delays are frustrating for the engineers involved, and space enthusiasts alike, every precaution has to be taken when a human crew is involved.  While we wait for this historic mission, we thought we would revisit an episode where we examined progress in robotic systems in space. The deployment of which removes the risk to human life and will be a critical part of the future of space operations. A future that Artemis 2 crew will spearhead. Space offers certain conditions that make it more favourable to manufacturing than Earth. Near zero gravity, extreme cold temperatures and a complete vacuum means certain industries such as quantum computing, semiconductors and human organ growth have already demonstrated the benefits of being manufactured in space. We explore how close we are to seeing manufacturing industries existing in space and what barriers there currently are.  In this episode, two experts from the Satellite Applications Catapult explain how they are working with a variety of companies in the in-orbit service and manufacturing sector to try and make the UK a world leader in this new frontier of space. Guests Mike Curtis-Rouse, Head of Access to Space, Satellite Applications Catapult Jeremy Haddall, Robotics Development Lead, Satellite Applications Catapult Partner The Satellite Applications Catapult [https://sa.catapult.org.uk/] is one of nine Catapults [https://catapult.org.uk/], uniquely established to transform the UK’s capability for innovation in specific areas and to help drive future economic growth. They work with companies of all sizes in the UK space sector to help with their business, access to infrastructure for testing and bringing their product to market. The post #361 Revisited: Space – The Robotic Age [https://engineeringmatters.reby.media/2026/02/26/361-revisited-space-the-robotic-age/] first appeared on Engineering Matters [https://engineeringmatters.reby.media].

#360 Systems Change: Thinking in Patterns

Systems thinking allows engineers to understand complex systems and the second-, third-, and nth-order effects of their interventions. It avoids the accidental creation of new problems when solving a first, and allows for the identification of effective leverage points for more impactful, sustainable change. The world, the built environment and our infrastructure all have patterns that can be understood with a few changes in thought process. In this episode we’re looking at the work Engineers Without Borders UK has done to promote systems thinking in engineering, through a programme of Systems Change Labs. Guests Mark Enzer, Strategic Advisor, Mott MacDonald Eva Fernandez, Strategic Sustainability Consultant, Ramboll Jonathan Truslove, Education and Skills Lead, EWB UK Supporter From prototyping to full-scale production, Xometry UK [https://xometry.uk/] is the leading on-demand manufacturing marketplace. With a network of over 2,000 manufacturing partners across Europe and 10,000 worldwide, Xometry provides the capacity and expertise to handle projects of any size, making advanced manufacturing accessible to all. Resources To read the Connect to Change report from the Built Environment Connective, click here [https://be-connective.com/connect-to-change/] The post #360 Systems Change: Thinking in Patterns [https://engineeringmatters.reby.media/2026/02/12/360-systems-change-thinking-in-patterns/] first appeared on Engineering Matters [https://engineeringmatters.reby.media].

#359k Transit-Oriented Communities in Toronto

Around the world, urban planners are seeking to deliver urban growth and increase access to city centres through the development of transit-oriented communities. These combine new publicly-backed transport infrastructure, with privately-financed residential and commercial development. It’s a route to more sustainable cities, but it involves careful navigation of budgetary constraints and the needs of existing communities. Michael Matthys explains some of the challenges of delivering transit-oriented communities in Toronto. He explains some of the challenges, both in terms of engineering, and in terms of meeting community needs. For stations in crowded downtown areas, he describes the importance of maintaining local character, and explains how retrofit might be a suitable solution. Looking further out into the suburbs, he describes policies that can help maintain affordable options for residents, and the engagement needed to ensure community support. Guest Michael Matthys, Planning Lead, SvN Architects + Planners Partner Egis [https://www.egis-group.com/] is a leading global architectural, consulting, construction engineering, operations and mobility services firm. Egis creates and operates intelligent infrastructure and buildings that both respond to the climate emergency and contribute to balanced, sustainable and resilient development. Its 22,000 employees [https://www.linkedin.com/company/egis/] operate across over 100 countries, deploying their expertise to develop and deliver cutting-edge innovations and solutions for clients. Through the wide range of its activities, Egis plays a central role in the collective organisation of society and the living environment of citizens all over the world. The post #359k Transit-Oriented Communities in Toronto [https://engineeringmatters.reby.media/2026/01/29/359k-transit-oriented-communities-in-toronto/] first appeared on Engineering Matters [https://engineeringmatters.reby.media].