New Wave Media

 

BluHaptics, a Seattle-based software company developing new technology for augmented robotics, and J2 Subsea, an Acteon company and global supplier of subsea tooling and services, have formed a sales and distribution partnership for BluHaptics’ software solution for underwater manipulator arms – its first commercially available product due for launch in July 2017.

 

Traditionally focused on subsea tooling (hardware), J2 Subsea will incorporate BluHaptics’ software into its suite of offerings, performing sales, distribution, customer support and joint marketing.

 

“Our partnership with J2 Subsea is a strategic move that allows us to continue focusing on the development of future products with applications on land and in space, while at the same time positioning our subsea product for rapid growth,” said Luke Wissman, vice president of business development and special programs for BluHaptics. “J2 has the subsea expertise and established relationships to efficiently connect our product with the companies who will benefit the most from it.”

 

BluHaptics’ engineers have integrated advanced technologies – including real-time modeling, operator assistance and force feedback – into a unified platform for semi-automatic robotic control. Featuring a virtual interface and user-friendly controls, the system makes it easier for operators to interact with and control remote robots. Several offshore trials are currently underway.

 

“Augmented robotics marries the strengths of humans and robots to achieve more together than what each could do individually,” said BluHaptics CEO Don Pickering. “As companies begin to enjoy better control, improved safety, lower costs and more capabilities, this technology will quickly become an industry standard.”

 

Headquartered in Aberdeen, Scotland, with locations in Singapore and Houston, J2 Subsea works in the rental, service and repair of ROV manipulator arms, as well as the rental of ROV tooling equipment, ROV engineering and underwater survey engineering support. 

 

John Walker, director, J2 Subsea, called BluHaptics’ software “a leap forward in robotic control for an ROV industry standard tool.”

 

“The software will enable increased precision, reducing the instances and intensity of damage to ROV manipulator arms during subsea operations,” Walker added. “We view it as an opportunity to deliver more value to our customers.”