Columbia Business Monthly (Nov. 1, 2024) –The future of defense tech is being built right here in South Carolina.
Integer Technologies, founded in 2021, identifies technology gaps within the U.S. Department of Defense, then works with university partners to quickly transition solutions from university labs into the hands of servicemen.
The company is No. 1 on the 50 Fastest Growing Companies in South Carolina rankings in its third year of operation.
Integer has focused on autonomous systems for naval applications, and recently created a prototype that will assist unmanned service vessels (USVs) with navigation and collision avoidance.
Founders Duke Hartman, CEO, and Josh Knight, COO, bring fitting experience to their business. Hartman is a professional engineer whose career has centered on the maritime and defense industries. Knight, Integer’s lead scientist, has a background managing research and development teams for a growth-stage small business in the defense sector.
Together, Hartman and Knight decided to start their business during the pandemic. Since then, it’s blossomed into an expanding company that boasts the U.S. Navy as a top client through the Office of Naval Research.
The company’s four main areas of technology focus on mission autonomy, digital engineering, cybersecurity, and sensors and perception.
“We help develop better eyes, ears and brains, for robotic ships, robotic submarines, and robotic airplanes,” Hartman said.
The founders attribute much of Integer’s growth to partnerships with universities. The collaboration also brings universities additional research dollars to fund new facilities, equipment and opportunities for faculty and students.
Integer’s first and biggest university partner is the University of South Carolina, and the company recently announced contracts with Louisiana State University and Benedict College.
“There is in South Carolina, and particularly where we are in Columbia, a base of tech, or a base of STEM talent that I think folks outside don't fully appreciate,” Knight said. “For us, it's been a boon.”
These partnerships also contribute to the greater local economy through job creation, workforce development and talent retention.
The company’s primary goal is getting its technology into the hands of sailors, marines, and airmen. Integer’s tech has been put to use on Navy ships during real missions, but has not yet been implemented for full-time use.
One challenge the company has had to face is building trust in autonomous systems, which is a critical concern of the military. The company's approach to building trust is centered on the principle of "don't just tell them, but show them."
Tests of early prototypes on actual vessels helps Integer learn and improve their systems and demonstrate how their technology is getting better with each iteration.
“What's hard about what we do is also what excites us the most and is the most inspiring in terms of a goal: putting research into action,” Hartman said.
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