4 Legged Robot That Can Climb Ship Hulls For Welding & Painting Built By Kawasaki Shipyard

Japanese manufacturing firm Kawasaki Heavy Industries has unveiled a four-legged robot that can climb ship hulls and carry out welding work. The company is developing the robot as Japan’s shipbuilding industry faces a shortage of skilled workers, particularly experienced welders.

The prototype was shown to the public for the first time on October 6 during an update on Kawasaki’s Group Vision 2030 strategy. The company plans to begin testing the robot at its Sakaide Works in Kagawa Prefecture, Japan, in 2027, with practical use targeted for 2028.

The robot uses physical artificial intelligence (AI) to move across vertical and curved ship surfaces and decide how much welding is needed. Kawasaki aims to automate tasks that are difficult to carry out using conventional equipment.

The prototype measures 60 cm by 44 cm by 29 cm and uses electromagnets to attach itself to a ship’s hull. Cameras and sensors allow it to inspect weld seams and determine how much welding is required.

Shipyard workers usually use high-reach vehicles to weld and assemble large prefabricated sections. Kawasaki’s robot is designed to work directly on the hull, including areas that are difficult to reach. The company also hopes the technology will help workers carry out shipbuilding tasks during high summer temperatures.

Kawasaki Heavy Industries President Yasuhiko Hashimoto said the number of people working in Japan’s shipbuilding industry was continuing to decline over the medium term. He also pointed to the difficulty of passing skilled workers’ knowledge and techniques on to younger generations.

The company plans to use the experience of veteran workers to develop physical AI systems that can control robots and carry out tasks autonomously.

In July, Kawasaki announced a partnership with US chipmaker NVIDIA to combine its shipbuilding and robotics expertise with physical AI, digital-twin and simulation technologies.

The programme aims to connect vessel design with production at the Sakaide facility and increase the use of robots and autonomous systems in ship construction.

Kawasaki has also said it hopes to extend physical AI beyond shipbuilding to vessel operations, maintenance and servicing. These plans form part of what the company calls a “next-generation digital shipyard”.

Other Japanese companies are also developing physical AI technology. Hitachi is working with industrial robot maker Fanuc to develop machines for manufacturing, logistics and agriculture, with deployment planned from fiscal 2027.

Kawasaki plans to begin demonstration testing of its shipbuilding robot in 2027 before targeting practical use in 2028.

References: portnews, newsonjapan