A strategic alliance between classifier ABS and Texas startup Persona AI marks a new direction in the shipbuilding industry. The two companies have signed a memorandum of understanding to incorporate humanoid robots in inspection tasks inside shipyardswith the aim of increasing safety, improving efficiency and establishing a new basis for regulatory compliance.
Humanoid robots for complex industrial environments
The Persona AI robots are inspired by robotic developments used by NASAbut are now targeted at demanding industrial environments such as shipyards. Unlike traditional industrial robots, these humanoids are mobile and ergonomically configured, allowing them to operate in complex spaces that are inaccessible to humans. This is key in environments with dense metal structures and changing working conditions.
One of the objectives of the agreement is to define classification standards for the data collected through robotic inspections. ABS, with more than 160 years of experience in certification and regulation of maritime assets, will collaborate in the development of protocols to ensure the reliability and validity of data captured by robots during shipbuilding.
Cooperation for a secure digital future in the maritime sector
John McDonald, president of ABS, noted that this initiative allows for the safe integration of emerging technologies in a traditionally conservative industry. For his part, Nic Radford, CEO of Persona AI, noted that the collaboration represents a concrete step towards the operational certification of humanoid robots in the marine industry.
The deployment of these robots aims to reduce labor risks and optimize inspection and documentation times. In scenarios where the demand for efficiency and regulatory compliance is growing, this alliance could become a model for other industrial sectors with critical infrastructure.
Source and photo: ABS