{"id":93051,"date":"2026-02-18T06:48:03","date_gmt":"2026-02-18T09:48:03","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/shipping.einnews.com\/article\/893343591"},"modified":"2026-02-18T06:48:03","modified_gmt":"2026-02-18T09:48:03","slug":"hii-signs-deal-with-path-robotics-on-ai-welding-for-manned-and-unmanned-shipbuilding","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/new7.shop\/zerocostfreehost\/index.php\/2026\/02\/18\/hii-signs-deal-with-path-robotics-on-ai-welding-for-manned-and-unmanned-shipbuilding\/","title":{"rendered":"HII signs deal with Path Robotics on AI welding for manned and unmanned shipbuilding"},"content":{"rendered":"

American defense giant HII and Path Robotics have signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU) to explore the integration of Path\u2019s physical artificial intelligence (AI) for welding into shipbuilding operations.<\/strong><\/p>\n

Credit: HII<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

The MOU signing ceremony took place at Path Robotics\u2019 headquarters and was attended by Eric Chewning<\/strong>, HII\u2019s executive vice president of maritime systems and corporate strategy, and Andy Lonsberry<\/strong>, Path Robotics CEO and co-founder.<\/p>\n

HII and Path Robotics will work to identify and potentially pursue future opportunities in three areas that include autonomous shipbuilding capability development, train a workforce to extend automation and establish an intellectual property framework for physical AI-based autonomous welding systems. <\/p>\n

In addition, the companies will pursue research and development around integrating Path\u2019s physical AI models with other innovative shipbuilding technologies used in the construction of HII ships, to include HII\u2019s ROMULUS line of unmanned surface vehicles. <\/p>\n

Together, these technologies would augment the welding workforce, automate structural production, and accelerate throughput to advance national security objectives.<\/p>\n

Path\u2019s physical AI model for welding, Obsidian, and proprietary sensing and vision system transforms a traditional industrial robot arm from a rigid, repeat-only machine into a real-time perception and decision-making system that can see, understand, and adapt to the variations of a shipbuilding environment.<\/p>\n

\u201cWe are excited to partner with Path Robotics to incorporate their state-of-the-art physical AI models to further augment our workforce and speed up U.S. Navy manned and unmanned shipbuilding production,\u201d <\/em>Chewning said. <\/p>\n

\u201cOur shipbuilding throughput was up 14% in 2025 and we are looking for an additional 15% increase in 2026. By working with new partners like Path Robotics, we can further accelerate shipbuilding production.\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n

\u201cWelding is one of the hardest processes to automate in any industry, and shipbuilding is no exception. Path\u2019s physical AI is purpose-built for that challenge \u2013 seeing, understanding, and adapting to real world conditions in real time. We\u2019re honored to work alongside HII to help modernize defense manufacturing and strengthen the naval industrial base for decades to come,\u201d<\/em> Lonsberry commented. <\/p>\n

Prior to the MOU signing ceremony, attendees from HII, local dignitaries and Path stakeholders walked the Path Robotics factory floor and observed robotic welding demonstrations in the company\u2019s new intelligence center. <\/p>\n

The demonstrations showcased how Path Robotics systems may be applicable to naval fabrication work, ranging from heavy foundations to large, complex ship structural assemblies. The technology showed how an autonomous welding system can adapt to unpredictable shipyard conditions, such as fit variations, complex joint types, and different materials.<\/p>\n

Currently, HII shipbuilders perform specialized, high-tolerance welding and direct weld support activities on large, complex ship structures without an AI-based autonomous welding capability. HII divisions use automated robot welders that require human collaboration; they are traditional panel line units, cobot welders that work alongside shipbuilders.<\/p>\n

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<\/a><\/strong> <\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

… areas that include autonomous shipbuilding<\/span> capability development, train a … and unmanned shipbuilding<\/span> production,\u00e2\u0080\u009d Chewning said. \u00e2\u0080\u009cOur shipbuilding<\/span> throughput was … different materials. Currently, HII shipbuilders<\/span> perform specialized, high-tolerance welding …<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"fifu_image_url":"","fifu_image_alt":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[1],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-93051","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-news","wpcat-1-id"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/new7.shop\/zerocostfreehost\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/93051","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/new7.shop\/zerocostfreehost\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/new7.shop\/zerocostfreehost\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/new7.shop\/zerocostfreehost\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/new7.shop\/zerocostfreehost\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=93051"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/new7.shop\/zerocostfreehost\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/93051\/revisions"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/new7.shop\/zerocostfreehost\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=93051"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/new7.shop\/zerocostfreehost\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=93051"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/new7.shop\/zerocostfreehost\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=93051"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}