South Korea’s Samsung Heavy Industries (SHI) has signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) with compatriot Rainbow Robotics for the development and commercialisation of shipbuilding robots. The two companies plan to expand their cooperation, starting with the development of AI-equipped welding robots based on collaborative robots, and extending to mobile dual-arm robots and quadruped robots. Under this agreement, Samsung Heavy will provide self-accumulated welding robot operation data and a test environment for verification. Rainbow Robotics will support robot hardware development and technology. Other Korean yards, notably HD Hyundai, are also busy trying out robots at their yards. The companies also aim to develop robots capable of moving inside blocks and on slopes for welding curved blocks. Samsung Heavy has already been developing and operating about 90 types of automation equipment and robots for block welding and painting, LNG carrier cargo hold welding, and pipe inspection to improve productivity and ensure quality. The company has also completed the construction of an unmanned system for its steel cutting plant and has been operating it on a 24-hour basis since September, focusing on production automation. Kim Jin-mo, head of the future business development office at Samsung Heavy, said, “We will actively expand the application areas and pursue commercialisation by incorporating AI and robot technology.” googletag.cmd.push(function() { googletag.display('div-gpt-ad-1_95_0_1_2'); }); TagsSouth Korea