Humanoid robots are set to start working in shipyards as part of a collaboration between classification society ABS and robotics developer Persona AI. Formalized through a memorandum of understanding, the partnership will focus on deploying and refining robotic systems designed to operate in shipbuilding environments traditionally structured for human labor.
Unlike standard industrial robots, the humanoid systems developed by Persona AI—drawing on robotic hand technology originally created by NASA—are intended to navigate confined and complex spaces found in shipyards. The initiative will explore how these robots can support inspection tasks and enhance both productivity and safety.
Through a series of joint development projects, ABS and Persona AI plan to gather operational data to inform ABS classification standards, particularly in the context of digital and remote surveys. This data will contribute to the development of certification protocols for robotic systems and the data they generate, enabling broader industry adoption of humanoid robotics in maritime construction.
ABS will apply its expertise in evaluating artificial intelligence and data quality, including existing methodologies for digital model verification. The collaboration aligns with ongoing efforts by ABS to integrate emerging technologies across the maritime sector. Persona AI, headquartered in Houston, was founded in 2024 and focuses on humanoid robotics for industrial use, leveraging experience from fields such as aerospace and subsea engineering.
