[Edaily Reporter Shin Yeong-bin ] The Korea Institute of Robot Convergence (KIRO) has partnered with Hanwha Ocean(042660)to develop autonomous work robots and industrial humanoids for use in shipyards. The two organizations will establish a collaborative framework that spans from joint research and development to field testing at actual shipbuilding sites.

KIRO announced on the 1st that it signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU) on the 30th of last month at Hanwha Ocean’s Geoje plant to jointly develop and demonstrate future shipbuilding and robotics convergence technologies.

The signing ceremony was attended by KIRO President Kang Ki-won, Hanwha Ocean AX Business Division Head Lee Gil-seop, and other officials from both organizations.

The two organizations plan to jointly develop shipbuilding-specific autonomous industrial robots, industrial manufacturing humanoids, and artificial intelligence (AI) robot solutions. The vision is to secure technologies applicable to real-world industrial settings by linking the operational needs of shipbuilding sites with KIRO’s robotics and AI technologies.

Specifically, they will pursue joint research and development on future shipbuilding and robotics convergence technologies, as well as the exchange of research personnel, the shared use of research facilities and equipment, policy advisory services, and the establishment of a cooperative network. They will also co-host academic events such as seminars and forums.

Discussions on this collaboration began in earnest last July when KIRO visited Hanwha Ocean’s facility. Building on this agreement, the two organizations plan to develop detailed implementation plans for each sector and apply the results of their joint technology development through field demonstrations at shipbuilding sites.

Recently, the shipbuilding industry has been facing challenges such as a shortage of skilled workers and the need to automate high-risk tasks. At its Geoje facility, Hanwha Ocean is collecting data on the work methods of skilled welders to train AI systems.

Currently, AI and automation technologies are applied to approximately 67% of indoor welding processes, and the company aims to fully automate welding processes by 2030 and increase the proportion of AI application in pretreatment and painting processes to 50%.

Recently, the company has moved beyond conventional welding robots—which merely repeat predetermined paths—and has begun developing “physical AI” capable of independently recognizing and assessing work areas. Last June, it partnered with NC AI to begin developing “vision-based models dedicated to welding” and “autonomous welding models based on collaborative robots.”

KIRO Director Kang Ki-won stated, “We will connect the demands of shipbuilding sites with the institute’s capabilities in robotics and AI technology to produce tangible results that can be felt on the industrial front lines,” adding, “We will actively promote the development and on-site application of robotics technology that can contribute to strengthening the competitiveness of the future shipbuilding industry.”