PANDORA is a three year project that is developing new computational methods to make underwater robots Persistently Autonomous, significantly reducing the frequency of assistance requests. The aim of the project is to extend the range of tasks that can be carried on autonomously and increase their complexity while reducing the need for operator assistances. Dynamic adaptation to the change of conditions is very important while addressing autonomy in the real world and not just in well-known situation. The key of Pandora is the ability to recognise failure and respond to it, at all levels of abstraction. Under the guidance of major industrial players, validation tasks of inspection, cleaning and valve turning will be trialled with partners’ AUVs in Scotland and Spain.