Last Updated on June 4, 2025
Viam and Viking Yachts have announced a groundbreaking partnership to integrate robotic sanding technology into yacht manufacturing. This collaboration aims to revolutionize the labor-intensive fiberglass sanding process, enhancing efficiency, consistency, and worker safety. The initiative positions both companies at the forefront of innovation within the marine industry, leveraging advanced automation to improve production methods and product quality.
Robotic Revolution in Yacht Manufacturing
Viam, an engineering platform specializing in data, AI, and automation, is partnering with Viking Yachts, a global leader in sportfishing and cruising yachts. This collaboration focuses on automating the critical fiberglass sanding process, a traditionally labor-intensive and time-consuming aspect of marine manufacturing. The Viam platform enables robots to adapt in real-time to complex yacht shapes, ensuring consistent finishes across various sizes and types of vessels.
Key Takeaways
- Enhanced Efficiency and Consistency: Viam's technology allows for more consistent and efficient fiberglass sanding, addressing a significant manufacturing challenge.
- Improved Worker Safety: The automation reduces the need for manual sanding, which requires specific protective equipment and extensive training, thereby improving worker safety.
- Adaptable Automation: Unlike traditional robots with rigid programming, Viam's platform provides robots with the ability to adapt to complex surfaces, crucial for custom yacht construction.
- Industry Transformation: This partnership signifies a major step in the marine industry's adoption of advanced technology, with the shipbuilding and marine robotics sector projected for significant growth.
Addressing Manufacturing Challenges
Fiberglass sanding is a vital but demanding process in yacht construction. It requires significant manual labor, specialized protective gear, and extensive training, posing operational hurdles for manufacturers. Traditional robotic solutions often fall short due to their inability to handle the intricate and varied shapes of custom yachts. Viam's intelligent automation overcomes these limitations by allowing robots to apply skilled judgment and adapt to complex surfaces, ensuring uniform quality.
A Vision for the Future
Eliot Horowitz, Co-Founder and CEO of Viam, highlighted that this partnership represents a significant innovation in marine manufacturing, transforming a resource-intensive process into a more efficient and scalable operation. Pat Healey, President and CEO of Viking Yachts, emphasized their commitment to innovation that improves boat building. He stated that if robotics can help their team work smarter, faster, and more efficiently, it is a worthwhile investment.
Broader Industry Impact
The partnership, set to roll out in July, aligns with major marine industry trends focusing on technological advancements and smarter production methods. The shipbuilding and marine robotics sector, valued at $1.26 billion in 2022, is expected to grow substantially. This collaboration not only prioritizes worker safety and production quality but also contributes to the broader discussion on emerging ocean economies and conservation outcomes. Eliot Horowitz will discuss the partnership at Capitol Hill Ocean Week, highlighting how technology can enhance ocean stewardship and support the marine industry.
Viam's Diverse Applications
Beyond Viking Yachts, Viam's marine sector clients include Kongsberg Discovery, Digital Yacht, Canyon Runner, and GOST. Viam's technology extends across various sectors, including manufacturing, food and beverage, and sports and entertainment, showcasing its versatility and impact in the physical world.
