German NEURA Robotics has entered into a strategic partnership with HD Hyundai Samho and HD Hyundai Robotics. Together, they want to develop and test specialised quadruped and humanoid robots for use in the shipbuilding industry.
The cooperation marks a significant step forward in advancing automation and robotics innovation in shipbuilding. By combining the expertise of all three partners, quadruped and humanoid robots will be tested under real-world conditions, with a focus on validating their potential to increase efficiency, safety, and productivity. This topic is gaining momentum, particularly against the backdrop of a growing shortage of skilled labour in the industry.
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Testing humanoid platform at Korean shipyard
As part of the partnership, HD Hyundai Samho will provide the demonstration environments and validate practical applicability, drawing on its experience with automation solutions in shipbuilding. HD Hyundai Robotics will provide technical support, including path learning data and performance validation, leveraging its extensive expertise in welding automation.
NEURA Robotics will contribute its cognitive robotics technology – including the humanoid platform 4NE1 – to the development and commercialisation of humanoid solutions for shipbuilding applications.
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Laying the groundwork
David Reger, Founder and CEO of NEURA Robotics: ‘This strategic partnership once again demonstrates the versatility of cognitive robots – even in one of the most demanding industrial environments in the world. Together with Hyundai, we are laying the groundwork for entirely new paths in intelligent automation.’
‘We will take a leading role in creating a safer and more productive shipyard environment by applying specialized welding robots that meet the diverse quality requirements of the shipbuilding industry,’ adds Sanghun Ryu, Executive Director of HD Hyundai Samho.
The agreement for this collaboration was signed during Automatica in Munich at the end of June. This initiative represents a milestone in the global advancement of intelligent, collaborative robotics and is expected to make a lasting contribution to innovation, competitiveness, and the future viability of the shipbuilding industry.
Picture: Robots will be developed to make shipbuilding safer and more efficient (photo by NEURA Robotics).
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