HD Hyundai Expands AI Shipbuilding and Smart Manufacturing
HD Hyundai is expanding the use of artificial intelligence (AI) across ship design, shipbuilding, production and equipment control as the company increases its focus on automation and advanced manufacturing technologies.
The company is developing AI systems designed to support different stages of shipbuilding operations, with a particular focus on using industrial data to improve manufacturing productivity. Its efforts cover design and production platforms as well as manufacturing equipment, welding robots and shipyard cranes.
The move reflects HD Hyundai’s broader effort to bring AI into practical shipbuilding operations rather than limiting the technology to individual systems. The company is working to connect AI applications deployed at different sites and integrate them with its design and production platforms.
HD Hyundai Strengthens AI Organization
HD Hyundai established a dedicated AI organisation within HD Korea Shipbuilding & Offshore Engineering in 2022. In November 2025, the organisation was reorganised as the AIX Promotion Office, which reports directly to the CEO.
The office is responsible for advancing the company’s AI-related work and connecting systems being used at individual sites. One of its key areas of focus is the integration of AI into design and production platforms.
By connecting these systems, HD Hyundai is working to make greater use of industrial data generated during shipbuilding activities. The company’s focus is on using that data to support manufacturing productivity and improve the way information is used across different stages of production.
The development also places AI within the company’s wider smart manufacturing approach, with technology being applied not only to design but also to physical production processes and equipment.
Shipbuilding AI Master Agent under Development
One of HD Hyundai’s key AI projects is the Shipbuilding AI Master Agent. The system is being developed to connect design and production expertise across HD Hyundai Heavy Industries and HD Hyundai Samho.
The project is intended to bring information from different parts of the shipbuilding process together. Production video data and other information will be used to support decision-making in areas including design, production, quality and safety.
This means the AI system is being developed around information generated during actual shipbuilding operations. Rather than focusing on only one part of the production process, the project aims to connect design and production expertise across the two HD Hyundai companies involved.
HD Hyundai is also researching multi-agent technology, including MCP and A2A. These technologies are part of the company’s continuing work to expand the role of AI within its shipbuilding operations.
The Shipbuilding AI Master Agent therefore represents an important part of HD Hyundai’s effort to connect information, expertise and production data through AI systems.
AI-Powered Welding Technology
HD Hyundai is also applying AI automation directly to manufacturing equipment. Welding robots developed by HD Hyundai Robotics use vision AI to identify defects in completed welds and store inspection results as data.
The company is testing this technology at shipbuilding production sites. The system combines real-time images of the weld pool with robot data, allowing AI to detect and correct defects during the welding process.
The technology connects automated equipment with AI-based inspection. Instead of relying only on the robot to carry out welding operations, the system uses visual information and robot data to identify problems in the completed weld.
The inspection results are also stored as data, creating a digital record of the welding process. This forms part of HD Hyundai’s wider use of AI technology, industrial data and automation within shipbuilding production.
The company’s work on welding robots shows how its AI programme extends beyond ship design and software platforms. AI is also being tested directly within the manufacturing process, where automated equipment is used alongside real-time visual information.
Digital Twin Technology for Shipyard Cranes
HD Hyundai is extending its AI development to shipyard cranes as well. The company is using digital twin technology to model interactions involving cranes, loads, wires, rigging conditions and surrounding structures.
The digital twin simulations are being used to represent the different elements involved in crane operations. These include the crane itself, the load being handled, wires, rigging conditions and nearby structures.
HD Hyundai is working towards an operating system that can interpret visual information from the worksite as well as verbal instructions from operators.
The planned system is intended to use this information to generate crane operation plans. In this way, the company is combining artificial intelligence, visual information and digital twin simulations in its development of automated crane operations.
The crane project adds another area to HD Hyundai’s expanding AI programme. While the Shipbuilding AI Master Agent focuses on connecting design and production expertise, and the welding technology focuses on manufacturing equipment, the crane system is being developed around worksite information and equipment operation.
AI Becomes Increasingly Integrated across Shipbuilding
HD Hyundai’s AI work now covers several parts of its shipbuilding operations, including ship design, production, quality, safety and equipment control.
The company is connecting AI systems used at individual sites while also developing platforms designed to bring together design and production expertise. At the equipment level, it is testing vision AI with welding robots and using digital twin simulations for shipyard cranes.
Industrial data is central to these efforts. The AIX Promotion Office is working to integrate AI into design and production platforms, while the Shipbuilding AI Master Agent is being developed to use production video data and other information for decision-making.
At the same time, HD Hyundai is testing AI directly within manufacturing processes. Welding robots can use real-time images and robot data to detect and correct defects, while the crane project is focused on interpreting worksite information and operator instructions.
Together, these projects show the company’s continuing push toward greater shipbuilding automation, smart manufacturing and wider use of artificial intelligence.
HD Hyundai’s AI strategy is therefore being developed across both digital platforms and physical shipyard equipment. From connecting design and production expertise to supporting welding inspection and developing AI-assisted crane operation plans, the company is working to expand the practical use of AI across its shipbuilding operations.
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