SOUTH Korea’s HD Hyundai is increasing its robot development programme to solve a shortage of skilled labour in the shipbuilding industry.

HD Hyundai Samho has formed a strategic partnership with HD Hyundai’s robotics subsidiary HD Hyundai Robotics and Neura Robotics in Germany, to develop quadrupedal and humanoid robots for use in automated welding processes.

Under the agreement, HD Hyundai Samho will provide demonstration environments, such as those involving co-operative robots and automation equipment. The shipbuilder will also validate the possibility of field applications.

HD Hyundai Robotics will offer path-learning data, backed by many years of welding automation data, and support technologies for robot performance verification.

Neura Robotics will develop technologies for humanoid robots for use in shipbuilding applications and promote their commercialisation.

The expected timeline for completing the prototype and beginning full commercial deployment has not been disclosed.

In addition to collaborating with Neura Robotics, HD Hyundai has partnered with other robotics and AI specialists to develop humanoid robots for use in shipyards.

In May, HD Korea Shipbuilding & Offshore Engineering and HD Hyundai Robotics signed an MOU involving Houston-based humanoid robotics start-up Persona AI and Busan-based automation solutions provider Vazil, with the aim of developing a humanoid robot capable of precision welding.

HD Hyundai said: “Welding humanoid robots will not only boost productivity, but also reduce the workload of shipyard workers and increase safety dramatically.”

These developments are linked to a significant shortage of manpower in the country.

According to Korea Offshore & Shipbuilding Association, the domestic shipbuilding industry is facing an average annual shortage of more than 12,000 workers, and the cumulative shortage is expected to reach 130,000 by 2027.