Hydwin Robotics, known for its hydro blasting technology, offers comprehensive solutions for the shipbuilding and repair industry. Andy Lu, the Global Business Director, shared insights with Seatrade Maritime News about the company's advancements in AI and robotic automation..
The company's flagship products, the Treatment Carrier D&X series, are designed to clean ship hulls and large steel structures. These products excel in coating removal and surface preparation, especially on complex surfaces like ship sides, bilge keels, and flat bottoms. "Hydwin Robotics is also exploring new areas such as offshore oil and gas and large infrastructure projects, where our technology can offer significant efficiency and environmental benefits," Lu stated.
Hydwin Robotics' solutions are already in use by leading shipyards and maritime companies, including COSCO, CSSC, Maersk, and MSC.
Lu highlighted the advantages of their technology over traditional methods like sandblasting, which produces significant dust and environmental pollutants, posing health and safety risks. In contrast, Hydwin Robotics' advanced hydroblasting technology, featured in the Treatment Carrier D and X series, offers an eco-friendly alternative. Their systems use ultra-high-pressure water jets, minimizing dust and harmful emissions while delivering precise coating removal. With features like real-time data feedback, autonomous navigation, and wastewater filtration, Hydwin Robotics technology ensures high-efficiency cleaning with minimal environmental impact. The D and X series also offer significantly higher operational efficiency, reducing maintenance time and enhancing long-term sustainability.
"AI-driven algorithms are integrated into Hydwin Robotics' systems to optimize surface preparation processes. The AI system controls autonomous navigation, adjusts cleaning parameters in real time, and ensures optimal path tracking. This not only improves cleaning accuracy but also enhances operational efficiency by continuously adapting to different surface types and conditions," Lu continued.
Hydwin Robotics currently holds an estimated 45% market share in China's robotic solutions for hull coating removal and surface preparation. The company plans to further solidify its position by expanding service offerings and enhancing collaboration with local shipyards and industrial sectors. Internationally, the company aims to grow its presence in major ship repair and maintenance clusters in the Middle East, Southeast Asia, and Europe, where demand for sustainable and efficient maritime solutions is increasing. Hydwin Robotics will also explore opportunities in other sectors such as petrochemicals and large-scale infrastructure projects, leveraging its advanced technology to meet diverse industry needs.
Chinese clients and international clients have different demands when it comes to choosing products. Lu explained, "Domestic clients in China tend to prioritize speed and cost-efficiency, focusing on fast project turnaround and value for money. They also expect localized support and quick response times. Global clients, particularly in regions like Europe, often place more emphasis on sustainability, compliance with international environmental regulations, and long-term reliability. These clients tend to have specific operational needs and often require solutions tailored to their complex and large-scale industrial operations."
Hydwin Robotics has recently raised tens of millions of Chinese yuan in Series A funding and is planning to accelerate product development and market expansion. This investment will enable the company to refine its existing robotic systems, with a focus on improving AI integration, increasing operational efficiency, and expanding autonomous capabilities. "The next phases will focus on refining the Treatment Carrier D and X series, enhancing autonomous capabilities, and improving AI integration. We will also work on expanding our manufacturing capacity to meet increasing global demand. Market-wise, we will expand both domestically and internationally, targeting new regions and industries while further strengthening our presence in the maritime and petrochemical sectors. Our focus will be on pushing the boundaries of innovation in robotic solutions for industrial surface preparation," added Lu.