A robotics firm located in Houston plans to transport a human-like robot to South Korea within the next few years to assist with ship construction activities.
Persona AI has joined forces with HD Korea Shipbuilding & Offshore Engineering (HD KSOE) and HD Hyundai Robotics, along with production company Vazil, to create humanoid robots designed for sophisticated welding operations in shipyard environments.
The humanoid welding robots are expected to boost productivity while lowering physical strain and safety risks for workers. The prototype is set to be completed by the end of 2026, with field testing and full commercial use planned for 2027.
As heavy industries confront increasing workforce limitations—particularly within hazardous sectors such as welding—the demand for robust, self-guided human-like robots has never been greater,” stated Nicolaus Radford, CEO of Persona AI, in a release. “This collaboration with HD Hyundai and Vazil holds significant practical value; sending these machines into shipyards provides an extensive test environment for our durable, anthropomorphic bots.
Smart shipyard shift
The objective of this project is to improve ship construction through the integration of smart robots. This innovation will increase efficiency, lessen the workload on employees, and heighten workplace safety. Engineered specifically for challenging environments within shipyards, these anthropomorphic machines are expected to elevate automated processes by enabling smooth collaboration between artificial intelligence-driven tools and manual workforce.
Under the conditions set forth in the contract, each party will make substantial contributions toward completing this initiative. Persona AI has taken charge of advancing humanoid robotics technology. This includes designing both the machinery components as well as artificial intelligence-driven mechanisms capable of performing precise welding tasks. Meanwhile, Vazil Corporation will focus their efforts on engineering advanced welding apparatuses and erecting an industrial test center designed to ensure readiness for practical applications.
HD KSOE will manage the real-time implementation at shipbuilding facilities and deliver essential on-site technical information. HD Hyundai Robotics will assist by providing artificial intelligence training data for welding paths and verifying the robot’s effectiveness.
The prototype is expected by the end of 2026, with field testing and commercial deployment planned for 2027. This partnership marks a major step toward creating smart shipyards where humans and robots work side by side.
Welding humanoid robots will not only increase productivity but also substantially decrease the workload on employees and considerably improve safety. By creating robots tailored specifically for this task,
shipyard
“Our objective is to establish a fresh standard for automation in shipbuilding. We envision a futuristic shipyard where human workers and advanced robotic systems work together effortlessly,” stated Mr. Dong-ju Lee, senior vice-president of HD KSOE, during his address.
statement
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Industrial workforce reinvented
Persona AI aims to redefine skilled labor with humanoid robots built for tough, high-intensity industrial jobs. Designed to handle the “3D” tasks — dull, dirty, and dangerous — these robots take on work in environments like shipyards, construction sites, and energy infrastructure, easing the physical burden on human workers.
The Persona AI website asserts that its foundation stems from a heritage that encompasses
NASA
‘s cutting-edge robotics technology and emphasizes using innovative practicality to address labor difficulties in the real world.
Its essential component is a modular humanoid platform with a highly skilled robotic hand based on NASA intellectual property. This allows the robot to perform intricate, skilled tasks in dynamic, unstructured environments. Through interchangeable “Personas,” the system provides versatility across industries and adjusts to various work types. Launching the first humanoid labor platform designed for heavy industries is one of the short-term objectives.
Persona AI’s
robots
can perform tasks specific to confined spaces, hull welding, and repair jobs within the shipbuilding sector, where turnover rates among critical professions often exceed 30%. This technology also aids with pipe welding, device examination, and upkeep in the energy domain, as older employees coupled with increasing automation redefine how these industries operate.
The company asserts that thanks to constant efficiency and minimized redoing tasks, Persona AI offers expandable and reliable workforce exactly when and where required, reshaping the upcoming era of factory jobs.
