Kawasaki Heavy unveils a four-legged AI robot that climbs ship hulls and decides how much to weld

Kawasaki Heavy Industries on October 6 unveiled a prototype shipbuilding robot that uses physical AI, NHK reported. The four-legged robot measures only 60 by 44 by 29 centimetres, sticks to the ship's hull with electromagnets, and checks seams with sensors and cameras to decide on its own how much welding is needed. Shipyards normally weld large prefab units from high-reach vehicles. Kawasaki points to a shortage of experienced welding engineers and hopes the robot will help offset it and keep production going in high summer heat.

What it means for manufacturers and fabricators

Instead of bringing big steel to a robot cell, robots are starting to come to the steel and judge the weld themselves, which is the direction large structural and plate work is heading.

Source: NHK World-Japan

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