HighMate Prepper Robot Debuts at SMM Hamburg 2024

SMM Hamburg 2024 — the world's leading trade fair for the maritime industry — was the stage for the global debut of the HighMate Prepper, MontiPower's autonomous robotic surface preparation system. The launch marks a significant step in the company's mission to make high-performance surface preparation accessible, repeatable, and scalable across industrial and maritime environments.

What Is the HighMate Prepper?

The HighMate Prepper is a robotic platform designed to automate surface preparation on large steel structures. Equipped with MontiPower's Bristle Blaster® technology, it delivers consistent anchor profiles and cleanliness levels across broad surface areas — without the variability of manual operation.

Key features of the HighMate Prepper include:

• Autonomous navigation on vertical and horizontal steel surfaces
• Integrated Bristle Blaster® modules for grit-free surface preparation
• Achieves SSPC-SP10 / Sa 2½ cleanliness and 65–85 µm Rz anchor profile
• Dust extraction and collection system for clean-room compatible operation
• Remote monitoring and operation capability

Why SMM Hamburg?

SMM Hamburg is the global hub for maritime technology and ship maintenance innovation. With thousands of shipyard operators, vessel owners, and coating specifiers attending, it was the ideal venue to introduce a robotic solution targeting hull preparation, ballast tank treatment, and deck steel maintenance.

The maritime industry faces acute pressure to reduce dry-dock time, lower labor costs, and improve coating durability. The HighMate Prepper addresses all three — by automating the preparation step that most determines coating performance and lifespan.

The Case for Robotic Surface Preparation in Shipyards

Hull maintenance and drydock scheduling are among the most costly items in a vessel operator's budget. Preparation quality directly affects how long a coating system lasts — and how quickly a vessel can return to service. Traditional manual preparation is slow, inconsistent, and labor-intensive.

The HighMate Prepper changes the equation by delivering:

• Consistent preparation quality across large surface areas
• Reduced exposure of workers to harmful dust and fumes
• Faster throughput — enabling shorter drydock cycles
• Data-logged preparation records for quality documentation

Reception at SMM 2024

The HighMate Prepper attracted significant interest from shipyard operators, coating contractors, and vessel owners throughout the exhibition. Live demonstrations drew consistent crowds, with visitors particularly interested in the system's ability to maintain preparation standards on complex geometries and vertical surfaces.

Next Steps

MontiPower is progressing the HighMate Prepper through field trials with select maritime partners ahead of commercial availability. Interested shipyards and contractors are encouraged to register their interest early.

Contact MontiPower to learn more about the HighMate Prepper and upcoming pilot programs.