HD Hyundai Samho has started a proof-of-concept (PoC) review to determine where humanoid robots could be introduced within production departments at its shipyard in South Korea, with early applications focused on basic welding work and simple transport tasks.
The company is collecting operational data around return on investment (ROI), power-supply requirements and payload capability, while also examining how to build the specialized domain knowledge needed for humanoids to operate in shipbuilding settings.
Work is being pursued together with HD Hyundai Robotics and LG CNS. During a demonstration previously held at the company’s Yeongam shipyard in South Jeolla, a humanoid was shown carrying a welder, moving on a worker’s request, performing welding, and completing pick-and-place tasks.
For initial use, HD Hyundai Samho plans to deploy humanoids in the production of small equipment and other items used in shipbuilding. The company’s stated objective is to raise productivity by assigning robots to straightforward, repetitive work, including welding.
HD Hyundai Samho said it could consider wider applications as humanoid learning and motion performance improve and as data transmission via sensors and cameras becomes smoother.
An HD Hyundai Samho official said the company remains at the PoC stage and is checking the technical requirements, staffing and operating conditions needed before applying humanoids to real industrial sites, adding that the review is centered on simple tasks.
The company aims to verify and commercialize humanoids next year. It is also running employee training on artificial intelligence transformation (AX), including humanoids, three times a week through November.
Some industry voices cautioned that shipyard deployment may remain challenging in the near term, pointing to outdoor work, uneven ground and changing light conditions depending on weather and time.
