South Korea’s HD Hyundai is collaborating with AI and robotics start-ups to create a humanoid robot designed for intricate welding tasks, aiming to revolutionize the future of smart shipyards. The initiative focuses on fostering enhanced human-machine collaboration to boost productivity and safety. HD Hyundai Robotics Vice President Young-hoon Song emphasized the need for these robots to observe, reason, and make decisions, moving beyond traditional robots that handle repetitive tasks.
The partnership includes Houston-based Persona AI, which specializes in embodied artificial intelligence, and South Korea’s Vazil, known for robotics integration. Together, they plan to develop prototypes by the end of 2026, with field testing and commercial rollout anticipated for 2027. Persona AI has recently secured over $10 million in funding and boasts founders with experience in developing NASA humanoid robots.
Persona AI will lead the development of humanoid hardware and AI algorithms, while Vazil will focus on creating welding tools and testing environments. The project aims to set a new standard in shipbuilding automation, enhancing safety and reducing worker burdens. HD Hyundai believes that integrating automation and advanced technologies will pave the way for a new era in shipyard operations.
