J2 Subsea to Offer BluHaptics ROV Manipulator Software

BluHaptics, the software company pioneering new technology for augmented robotics, and Aberdeen-based J2 Subsea have formed a sales and distribution partnership for BluHaptics’ first commercially available product – a software solution that reportedly makes the operation of underwater manipulator arms safer and more effective.

As part of the agreement, J2 Subsea will be responsible for the sale, distribution, customer support and joint marketing of BluHaptics’ software solution for underwater manipulator arms.

“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 technologies – including real-time modeling, operator assistance, and force feedback – into a unified platform for semi-automatic robotic control. According to the company, this new system makes it significantly easier for operators to interact with and more precisely control remote robots in fluid, unpredictable and dangerous environments. Several offshore trials are said to be 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.”

“We are looking forward to offering BluHaptics’ software. This is a leap forward in robotic control for an ROV industry standard tool and we view it as an opportunity to deliver more value to our customers,” said John Walker, director, J2 Subsea. “The software will enable increased precision, reducing the instances and intensity of damage to ROV manipulator arms during subsea operations.”