HD Hyundai is moving forward with its initiative to deploy humanoid robots for precision tasks in vessel construction. Following a successful prototype evaluation announced on March 23, the company is advancing to the next phase of development and commercialization for shipyard automation.
The project is a joint effort between HD Korea Shipbuilding & Offshore Engineering (KSOE), HD Hyundai Robotics, and Persona AI, a US robotics company. The companies initially partnered in May 2025 to explore the concept of using a modular humanoid platform for skilled industrial labor.
Under the new joint development agreement signed at the HD Hyundai Global R&D Center in South Korea, Persona AI will build a bipedal humanoid robot capable of stable movement within complex shipyard environments.
To make the hardware effective on the ground, KSOE will lead the development of artificial intelligence training systems for welding, using actual field data from current shipbuilding processes. Meanwhile, HD Hyundai Robotics will manage the overall system integration and conduct rigorous on-site testing.
This robotics initiative specifically targets high skilled tasks like welding and other precision applications. HD Hyundai expects these specialized humanoids to become a core component of future smart shipyards. By automating these dangerous and highly technical processes, the shipbuilder aims to drive productivity, improve worker safety, and directly address the ongoing skilled labor shortage in the maritime construction sector.