US Shipbuilder HII Integrates AI to Automate Unmanned Shipbuilding Tasks

HII, a leading U.S. shipbuilding firm, is set to enhance unmanned shipbuilding operations by testing artificial intelligence (AI) to automate welding tasks. The Virginia-based company has signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU) with Path Robotics, aiming to integrate AI-driven welding into shipbuilding production. This move is expected to improve throughput, strengthen the maritime industrial base, and support the shipbuilding workforce.

Eric Chewning, HII’s executive vice president of maritime systems and corporate strategy, highlighted the partnership with Path Robotics as a step to augment the workforce and accelerate U.S. Navy shipbuilding, including both manned and unmanned vessels. HII reported a 14% increase in shipbuilding throughput in 2025 and aims for an additional 15% growth in 2026. The collaboration with Path Robotics focuses on developing autonomous AI-based welding solutions that meet Navy standards and can be scaled across HII’s shipyard facilities.

The partnership will explore three main areas: developing autonomous shipbuilding capabilities, training a workforce to support extended automation, and establishing an intellectual property framework for physical AI-based autonomous welding systems. HII and Path Robotics will also research the integration of Path’s physical AI models with other advanced shipbuilding technologies, including HII’s ROMULUS line of unmanned surface vehicles, to enhance structural production, automate welding, and accelerate throughput in support of national security objectives.

Andy Lonsberry, CEO and co-founder of Path Robotics, emphasized that welding is one of the most challenging industrial processes to automate. Path’s physical AI is designed to perceive, understand, and adapt to real-world shipbuilding conditions in real time. The technology can transform traditional industrial robot arms into autonomous systems capable of real-time decision-making, improving efficiency and modernizing defense manufacturing.

Currently, HII divisions use automated welding systems that require human collaboration, including panel line units, cobot welders, and mechanized welders following pre-programmed paths. AI-driven autonomous welding presents an opportunity to expand distributed shipbuilding capacity, augment skilled labor, and accelerate delivery to meet the growing demand of the U.S. Navy.

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