Laser Photonics and Boston Engineering are working to integrate laser technologies into autonomous robots for use in the defense industry.
ORLANDO, Fla.—Integration of laser technologies into autonomous robots for use in the naval defense industry is the focus of a new partnership between industrial laser systems developer Laser Photonics Corporation (LPC) and product design and engineering consulting company Boston Engineering Corporation. In a joint release from the companies, Boston Engineering said that it selected LPC as its “technology partner to provide advanced laser tools for integration into its robotic crawler technology.”
Boston Engineering specializes in developing unmanned vehicles that can autonomously perform tasks previously done by humans. The company has created systems that are said to help complete operational tasks in the maritime industry faster and more precisely. Boston Engineering has also created technologies that protect people from injury and, in many cases, extend detection, inspection, and repair capabilities, according to the release.
“Laser Photonics enters this partnership with Boston Engineering with great enthusiasm, eager to combine the power of autonomous robots and laser technology,” said Wayne Tupuola, CEO of Laser Photonics Corporation, in the release. “We are ready to revolutionize the way naval drydock and related maintenance operations are performed, helping address the challenges of labor shortages and safety concerns in situations where fast fleet turnaround is critical.”
Boston Engineering will incorporate LPC’s cutting-edge laser technologies into its robotic crawler, which could then scale ship hulls and other structures to automate corrosion removal, contamination cleaning, and other material processing tasks safely and effectively. This includes effectively operating in hard-to-reach and dangerous areas.
“There’s a big push in the naval defense space for automation,” Mark Smithers, CTO and co-founder of Boston Engineering, in the release. “The addition of LPC technology to our robotic crawler gives us another potent asset in our arsenal. Laser cleaning is highly time- and labor-efficient for optimizing maintenance and repair. We look forward to equipping our crawler with laser power through this partnership.”
Integrating these two technologies together is expected to lead to “a definitive solution for professionals in the defense, maritime, shipbuilding and boat maintenance/repair industries who are looking for a viable and safe method of effectively addressing surface preparation, cleaning, decontamination and restoration,” the release said.
Boston Engineering, headquartered in Waltham, Massachusetts, provides product design and engineering consulting from concept development through commercialization. The company specializes in solving complex challenges in the defense and security, medical device, and commercial industries. Founded in 1995, Boston Engineering is certified to ISO 9001:2015 and ISO 13485:2016 standards.
Laser Photonics describes itself as “a vertically integrated manufacturer and R&D Center of Excellence for industrial laser technologies and systems.” The company focuses on surface cleaning, rust removal, corrosion control, de-painting, and other laser-based industrial applications.