By integrating adaptive robotics into yacht construction, Viam and Viking Yachts are setting a new standard for efficiency and safety, leading the marine industry into an era of smarter, more sustainable manufacturing.
Viking Yachts is a global leader in sportfishing and cruising yachts, with 1 million square feet of manufacturing facilities in New Jersey.
Viam, the engineering platform for data, AI, and automation, today announced a partnership with Viking Yachts, a global leader in sportfishing and cruising yachts with 1 million square feet of manufacturing facilities in New Jersey. Integration of Viam's technology to support fiberglass sanding—critical in yacht construction—will enhance efficiency and consistency through intelligent automation, complementing the skills of Viking's craftsmen.
Fiberglass sanding is a vital but labor-intensive and time-consuming aspect of marine manufacturing. The process requires specific protective equipment and extensive training, posing operational challenges for manufacturers and workers. Traditional sanding robots rely on rigid, pre-programmed paths and struggle to manage the complex shapes of custom yachts. The Viam platform enables robots to make informed decisions, allowing them to adapt in real-time, ensuring consistent finishes across a range of yacht sizes and types.
"Our partnership with Viking represents a major innovation around one of the most challenging aspects of marine manufacturing," said Viam Founder and CEO Eliot Horowitz. "We've taken a time-consuming, resource-intensive process and made it resoundingly more efficient and scalable."
Founded in 1964 by the Healey family, Viking has earned its reputation as one of the marine industry's most respected companies through a unique combination of experience, craftsmanship, and innovation. The vertically integrated operation provides a real-world example of major marine industry trends. The shipbuilding and marine robotics sector was valued at $1.26 billion in 2022 and is projected to grow significantly over the next decade as manufacturers make new investments and advanced technology is more readily adopted. The partnership will roll out in July, positioning both companies at the forefront of an industry transformation that prioritizes worker safety and smarter production methods to achieve the highest levels of quality.
"This is about improving the way we build boats," said Pat Healey, President and CEO of Viking Yachts. "We've always embraced innovation that makes us better. If robotics can help our team work smarter, faster and more efficiently, then it's worth the investment."
Eliot Horowitz will discuss the partnership during a session at Capitol Hill Ocean Week on Wednesday, June 4, in Washington, D.C., entitled "Emerging Ocean Economies: Innovation Driving Conservation Outcomes." Co-hosted by Viking, the panel will explore how companies like Viam and Viking are utilizing technology to enhance ocean stewardship and support the marine industry as a whole. The discussion will also highlight the work of the Whale and Vessel Safety (WAVS) Task Force, a Viking-led initiative developing real-time whale detection technology to protect marine mammals and enhance boater safety.
In addition to Viking Yachts, Viam's customers in the marine space include Kongsberg Discovery, Digital Yacht, Canyon Runner, and GOST. Viam's technology is applied across sectors, including manufacturing, food and beverage, sports, and entertainment. The company was launched in 2020 by Eliot Horowitz, former co-founder and CTO of publicly traded database giant MongoDB, and closed a Series C funding round earlier this year.
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