ABS has signed an agreement with robotics firm Persona AI to explore the use of humanoid robots in shipbuilding, to improve safety and productivity in shipyard operations.
The collaboration will focus on adapting Persona AI’s humanoid platform, which incorporates NASA-derived robotic hand technology, for tasks in confined and ergonomically challenging spaces.
Unlike fixed industrial robots, humanoid systems are designed to operate in environments built for people, which should allow them to more easily slot into existing shipyard workflows.
Under the memorandum of understanding, ABS and Persona AI will run joint development projects to test robotic inspection techniques and gather data to support ship classification during construction.
The work will contribute to new ABS standards on the types and quality of robotic data required to support digital and remote survey methods.
“This collaboration with Persona AI reflects our commitment to innovation and safety, as we work to establish the standards and protocols that will enable humanoid robots to perform complex tasks reliably and securely in shipyard environments,” said John McDonald, ABS President and COO.
“By combining cutting-edge robotics with ABS’s deep expertise in certification and safety, we’re helping shape a smarter, safer future for shipbuilding”
The move follows on from a separate Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) signed between Persona AI and HD Korea Shipbuilding & Offshore Engineering (HD KSOE) earlier this year to jointly develop humanoid robots for welding tasks in shipyard environments.
