HD Hyundai is partnering with companies specializing in artificial intelligence (AI)-based robotics technology to develop the first welding humanoid robot in Korea.

On May 8, HD Hyundai Heavy Industries and HD Hyundai Robotics announced that they had signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) in Houston, USA, with Persona AI, a company specializing in AI-based humanoid robots, and Basil Company, a robotics engineering firm, for the development of humanoid robots for shipbuilding welding. Under this agreement, the participating companies plan to develop humanoids capable of precise welding work by leveraging AI and robotics technologies, thereby increasing production efficiency at shipyards and ensuring worker safety.

HD Hyundai Heavy Industries and HD Hyundai Robotics signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) for the development of humanoid robots for shipbuilding welding with Persona AI and Basil Company in Houston, USA. From the second person on the right in the photo: Lee Dongju, Head of Manufacturing Innovation Lab at HD Hyundai Heavy Industries; Nick Radford, CEO of Persona AI; Kim Sungwon, CTO of Basil Company; and Head of Solutions Division at HD Hyundai Robotics. HD Hyundai
Photo by HD Hyundai

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By company, HD Hyundai Robotics will provide AI-based welding automation technology and will be responsible for verifying the robot's performance. HD Hyundai Heavy Industries will test the humanoids in actual shipyard environments and provide data and technical support for field application. Persona AI will develop the humanoid hardware, as well as AI-based robot control and learning algorithms. Basil Company will develop welding tools to be equipped on the humanoids and will be responsible for building the testbed.

The participating companies plan to complete prototype development by next year and begin full-scale field demonstrations and commercialization starting in 2027. An HD Hyundai representative stated, "Welding humanoids will not only improve productivity but also significantly reduce the burden on workers and greatly enhance safety," adding, "By realizing humanoids optimized for shipyard operations, we aim to create a new paradigm for automation in the shipbuilding industry."

HD Hyundai Heavy Industries yard view. HD Hyundai

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Nick Radford, CEO of Persona AI, said, "Applying AI technology to the core processes of shipbuilding is a highly meaningful challenge," and added, "Our goal is to establish a smart shipyard environment where people and robots collaborate by utilizing intelligent robotics technology." Kim Sungwon, CTO of Basil Company, commented, "By developing humanoids capable of precision welding, we aim to take shipbuilding automation to the next level."