Shipyards Integrating Artificial Intelligence Into Processes
Shipyards Integrating Artificial Intelligence Into Processes
Publish Date: 2026-03-13 13:44:00
Source Domain: www.waterwaysjournal.net
Could some U.S. shipyards see robotic welders powered by artificial intelligence working alongside humans within a few years — or fewer?
In February, Italian shipbuilding giant Fincantieri announced an industrial partnership with Generative Bionics to begin work on a humanoid ship welding robot for shipyards, with AI capabilities.
The project, part of Fincantieri Group’s innovation and robotics strategy, aims to strengthen the operational excellence and technological leadership of European shipbuilding.
The collaboration is based on the integration of Fincantieri’s industrial expertise with the robotic platform developed by Generative Bionics, with the goal of increasing safety and operational efficiency, improving production quality and enhancing the sustainability of work in shipyards, the company said.
As an initial area of collaboration, the project involves the development of a humanoid robot designed to support welding activities in naval manufacturing. The humanoid will be equipped with artificial intelligence as well as advanced manipulation, perception and vision capabilities dedicated to monitoring the welding seam, along with optimized locomotion to operate in complex environments, Fincantieri said. The system will prioritize safety, allowing collaboration with workers while fully complying with regulations and without limiting work areas.
The collaboration is expected to span four years, with a strong focus on rapid deployment in operational settings. However, initial on-site tests are scheduled as soon as the end of 2026, with the objective of making “operational functionalities” available within the first two years, followed by “further refinement, expansion and industrial certification activities thereafter.”
Development and testing activities will take place at Fincantieri’s Sestri Ponente shipyard, which will serve as the reference environment for industrial…
