HD Hyundai has partnered with U.S. robotics firm Persona AI and industrial robotics specialist Basil Company. The collaboration aims to develop a prototype of a humanoid welding robot by next year, with plans to conduct field tests in 2027 before deploying the robots in shipyards. This move is expected to accelerate the transition to smart shipyards, boosting productivity and addressing labor shortages.
Persona AI announced on the 7th (local time) that it has signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU) with HD Korea Shipbuilding & Offshore Engineering (HD KSOE), HD Hyundai Robotics, and Basil Company to develop humanoid robots specialized for shipyard welding tasks.
The partners will develop humanoid robots equipped with advanced AI and robotic systems capable of high-precision welding. HD KSOE will provide real-world shipyard environment data and support robot integration, while HD Hyundai Robotics will assist in welding path learning and performance validation. Persona AI will lead the development of the humanoid robot hardware and AI-based control and learning algorithms, while Basil Company will handle welding tool development and testing environment setup. The ultimate goal is to release a prototype by the end of next year, conduct field tests the following year, and proceed with commercialization. The introduction of these robots is expected to enhance productivity and safety in shipyards.
HD Hyundai has been driving its transformation into a smart shipyard since 2021 through its Future of Shipyard (FOS) project. The first phase involved completing a virtual shipyard, “TwinFOS,” using digital twin technology. By 2030, the company aims to establish an intelligent, autonomous shipyard, targeting a 30% improvement in productivity and a 30% reduction in production time.
To achieve this, HD Hyundai has been actively exploring robotics integration. In 2023, HD KSOE announced plans to introduce automated equipment, such as steel plate forming robots and panel welding robots, at Hyundai Mipo Dockyard. HD Hyundai Samho has also deployed robotic arms from Rainbow Robotics in indoor worksites. Since August 2023, the company has used robots in flat-block assembly, resulting in increased production output. Further expansion of robotic automation is planned.
Lee Dong-joo, head of the Manufacturing Innovation Lab at HD KSOE, stated, “By developing robots optimized for shipyard tasks, we aim to set a new paradigm in shipbuilding automation. Our goal is to create a smart shipyard where humans and intelligent robots collaborate seamlessly.”
Song Young-hoon, head of the Solutions Division at HD Hyundai Robotics, added, “Unlike conventional robots limited to repetitive tasks, this robot will be capable of observation, reasoning, and decision-making. Leveraging HD Hyundai Robotics’ expertise in automated welding and engineering, we aim to deve
