Splash247: Hanwha Ocean taps AI welding specialist for autonomous shipyard project

Published by Splash247

South Korean shipbuilder Hanwha Ocean has selected technology company NC AI to develop an autonomous welding system that combines artificial intelligence-powered vision recognition with collaborative robotics, marking another step in shipbuilding’s drive toward smarter yard operations.

The project aims to create a physical AI solution capable of identifying welding areas, assessing conditions and carrying out optimal welding operations in real time with minimal human intervention.

The technology targets one of shipbuilding’s most labour-intensive processes. Under the project, robots will be able to recognise weld lines, evaluate welding conditions and autonomously adjust parameters such as torch angle and welding speed.

A key challenge lies in the harsh conditions found in shipyard welding environments. Arc light, sparks, dust and lens contamination have traditionally limited the effectiveness of machine vision systems.

NC AI said it is developing shipbuilding-specific vision recognition technology using Hanwha Ocean operational data and engineer feedback to enable precise weld-line extraction and real-time defect detection even in heavily contaminated environments.

The company plans to deploy its next-generation vision-language model, known as VAETKI Vision, as the core engine for the project. The system combines visual information with text-based instructions and is expected to evolve into a vision-language-action model capable of translating human commands directly into robotic actions.

According to NC AI, workers will be able to issue voice or text instructions, after which the robot will analyse the welding target and determine the appropriate control commands independently.

Lee Yeon-su, chief executive of NC AI, said the company aims to develop “robust vision recognition technology and autonomous control models that overcome dust and contamination on site”.

He added: “We will create a physical AI model at the world’s highest level.”

The project underscores the growing role of artificial intelligence and robotics in shipbuilding as yards seek to improve productivity, quality control and workforce efficiency amid increasing labour shortages and rising demand for advanced vessels.