What if a robot powered by artificial intelligence (AI) could scan every surface of any dirty object (such as a rusty hammer, or a mud-covered vehicle)? This could enable precise, automated decision-making to uniformly waterblast that object to a clean shine.
In early 2024, the top testing office within the U.S. Pentagon—the Director of Operational Test & Evaluation (DOT&E)—released its annual report.
According to technology company Oceanit Laboratories, Inc. (Honolulu, Hawaii, USA), this report revealed that the multirole F-35 Lightning II—used across multiple military branches—has a fleet-wide full mission capable rate of only 30%. Additionally, only 48% of the U.S. F-35 fleet is mission-ready for immediate combat, excluding scheduled maintenance cycles.
Challenges of USAF Maintenance
In the U.S. Air Force (USAF), maintenance crews face significant challenges in improving this mission-ready rate, partially due to aging procedures. Many heavy maintenance processes, whether on the F-35, F-15 Eagle, F-16 Fighting Falcon, a jeep, or other platforms, begin with waterjet cleaning to “surface prep” equipment by removing dirt, debris, corrosion, and paint.
However, current USAF waterjet systems are unsophisticated, Oceanit explains, running preset choreographed movement patterns based on equipment type. This generic approach can leave particularly dirty or corroded equipment inadequately cleaned.
For example, not every landing gear is corroded in the same way, yet the waterjetting movement pattern is the same, according to Oceanit officials. Maintenance crews often resort to an “eyeball test,” sacrificing durability for faster turnaround times. Given the concerning mission-readiness rates and needs of the warfighter, an effective solution is urgently needed.
Advanced Surface Intelligence AI
To address this critical shortcoming, Oceanit is developing an advanced surface intelligence AI, built on Oceanit’s RIVEAL platform technology, to help the USAF improve its mission readiness. USAF is the largest F-35 operator in the U.S. military.
The technology company says its AI-driven surface intelligence tool is designed to augment existing waterjet systems, thereby enabling them to make decisions, improve speeds, and be more efficient. As the company describes, the system is effectively a dedicated technician to ensure warfighters have the quality of system maintenance they need to excel on missions.
Leveraging RIVEAL, the system uses machine vision AI to assess surface data and determine whether the equipment’s surface is clean. It then guides robotic cleaning arms with precision, thus adapting to different surfaces, coatings, and shapes to ensure optimal cleaning and surface preparation.
This innovative cyber-physical system eliminates the need for the “eyeball test” in surface preparation, Oceanit explains. It scans each surface, groove, and corner, in turn allowing for precise, data-driven decision-making for each piece of equipment.
Once deployed, the system should expedite maintenance prep, reduce downtime, and enhance mission readiness for fleets like the F-35 and other critical platforms and support equipment.
Potential Applications in Other Industries
Beyond the military, surface intelligence AI has potential applications across industries that require surface cleaning or assessment. According to Oceanit, it could transform processes in areas such as road repairs, ship and aircraft painting, automobile refinishing, and even touch-free car washes.
By detecting surface imperfections and guiding connected systems to address issues—whether by filling a pothole or touching up paint on a car bumper—this technology promises to improve efficiency and quality across a wide range of sectors.
About Oceanit Laboratories, Inc.
Founded in 1985 in Honolulu, Oceanit is self-described as a disruptive technology company with a world-class reputation for breakthrough science and disruptive innovation built upon values of curiosity, community, and ‘ohana.
Featuring a skilled group of scientists, engineers, and innovators, the company aims to tackle many of the world’s most difficult problems.
Source: Oceanit Laboratories, Inc., www.oceanit.com.