Legged robots could soon be welding on an HD Hyundai shipbuilding site. Source: NEURA Robotics
NEURA Robotics last week announced that it has entered into a strategic partnership with HD Hyundai Samho Co. and HD Hyundai Robotics Co. The companies plan to jointly develop and test specialized quadruped and humanoid robots for use in the shipbuilding industry.
“This strategic partnership once again demonstrates the versatility of cognitive robots – even in one of the most demanding industrial environments in the world,” stated David Reger, founder and CEO of NEURA Robotics. “Together with Hyundai, we are laying the groundwork for entirely new paths in intelligent automation.”
Founded as Han’s Robot in 2019, NEURA claimed that its “cognitive robots” combine sensors and components for physical intelligence on each of its devices. The Metzingen, Germany-based company said its latest collaborations will advance automation and robotics innovation.
Hyundai units support humanoid development
NEURA Robotics and HD Hyundai‘s Samho and Robotics units said they will combine their expertise to develop legged robots. They added that they will test the robots in real-world conditions to validate their potential to increase efficiency, safety, and productivity.
Industry interest in robotics is partly a response to a growing shortage of skilled labor, noted the partners.
“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,” said Sanghun Ryu, executive director of the Automation Innovation Center Division at HD Hyundai Samho.
The companies said they will do the following:
- HD Hyundai Samho will provide the demonstration environments and validate practical applicability, drawing on its many years of experience with automation solutions in shipbuilding.
- HD Hyundai Robotics will provide technical support, including path learning data and performance validation, using its extensive expertise in welding automation.
- NEURA Robotics will contribute its leading cognitive robotics technology — including the 4NE1 humanoid platform — to develop and commercialize humanoid offerings for shipbuilding applications.
“This agreement promotes diverse technological collaborations and highlights our leadership in developing robot-based automation solutions for shipyards,” added Younghoon Song, executive director of the Solution Development Division at HD Hyundai Robotics. “Our goal is to contribute to the long-term competitiveness of the shipbuilding industry.”
South Korea-based HD Hyundai, formerly Hyundai Heavy Industries, is also working with Persona AI on humanoids in shipbuilding.
From left: Younghoon Song, vice president at HD Hyundai Robotics; David Reger, CEO of NEURA; and Sanghun Ryu, vice president at HD Hyundai Samho. Source: NEURA Robotics
NEURA Robotics makes deals around Automatica
“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,” said NEURA Robotics.
The agreement was one of several that NEURA Robotics signed at Automatica last month. It also said it will work with Vodafone on 5G connectivity; NVIDIA for AI, simulation, and onboard computing; and SAP on digital twins and business AI integration.
In addition, NEURA is collaborating with Flexion on enhancing robot mobility and coordination and with Omron, Kawasaki, and Delta Electronics on white-label robotics products. The company’s presentation of its 4NE1 robot in Munich was affected by traffic delays, showing both the challenges of logistics at trade shows and of meeting expectations for humanoid capabilities.
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