B&L Naval Stores Inc., is an early stage firm that - in collaboration with some Georgia Southern University perseonel - is tackling development of an innovative robotic technology to tap slash pine trees and collect their oleoresin for processing using an unmanned fully autonomous long-range robotic forest rover as part of the strategy to revive the dormant turpentine industry in the Southeastern United States. The business intent is this integrated system will replace the labor-intensive work of collecting slash pine oleoresin. Resin from slash pine (Pinus elliottii Engelm.) is potentially a renewable and alternative source to petrochemicals for a wide variety of industrial, commercial, and household products. Historically, the collection of slash pine gum resin and the manufacture of products from it had represented a significant industry in Georgia and the SE states factoring to many agricultural and manufacturing jobs but no longer. in collaboration with Georgia Southern University, the intent is to develop a roboticsystem (Forest Rover) capable of borehole drilling, treating with resin flow stimulating chemicals, and placing a spout and collection vessel - om short, to make significant progress towards reviving an industry that could creates a raft of quality, well paying jobs .
