Aikido Technologies
In November 2024, the construction of the Aikido One platform, a 1:4 scale pilot, was completed and transported to Mississippi for testing. The Aikido One platform was loaded-out and floated off in Pascagoula, Mississippi using a method to resemble a semi-submersible barge. At the time of deployment, it represented the largest floating wind platform constructed in the U.S. The Aikido Platform is unique as it can fold up during assembly and transportation. Once it is in the water, a water ballasting procedure is used to bring it upright to its operational configuration.
The 13 main steel structures of the Aikido Platform are pinned instead of welded together. Furthermore, the platform can be assembled on the Aikido Cradle, which assists in the placement and alignment of these large, steel structures. During final assembly, 27 pins are inserted into the joints. Project partner Morrison Energy managed to average approximately 1.5 hours per pin during final assembly. The final 3 pins are inserted in the field, during the upending process, which only take 5 to 10 minutes to insert the pin using a remotely driven motor. The Morrison and Aikido teams aim to reduce the final assembly time further to less than 30 hours.
