AI Partnership to Enhance Shipbuilding
HII signed a memorandum of understanding with GrayMatter Robotics to explore deploying its Physical AI in shipbuilding operations. The goal is to improve throughput, efficiency, and workforce support.
The collaboration will focus on autonomous surface preparation, coating, and inspection technologies. It will also include efforts in automation, workforce training, and scaling unmanned system production.
Throughput Targets and HYPR Integration
The initiative aligns with HII’s push to boost productivity after a 14% increase in shipbuilding throughput in 2025.
The company is targeting an additional 15% increase in throughput in 2026. The partnership is expected to support HII’s High-Yield Production Robotics (HYPR) program.
Demonstrations showed AI systems performing sanding, grinding, blasting, coating, and inspection while maintaining quality and material efficiency.
HII said many shipbuilding processes remain manual and skilled, with AI offering potential to reduce repetitive work and improve consistency.
Executive Commentary
HII’s Eric Chewning said the company is experiencing a resurgence in U.S. shipbuilding and is enthusiastic about partnering with GrayMatter Robotics to integrate advanced physical AI into its operations.
He noted that shipbuilding throughput ...
