Shipyards Open the Door to AI Welding... HJ Heavy Industries Launches Korea-US Joint Shipbuilding R&D

Joint US Research and Development Agreement with San Diego State University

Advancing Physical AI-Based Friction Stir Welding Systems

The era has begun where AI is taking a leading role in shipbuilding welding as well.

HJ Heavy Industries, led by CEO Yoo Sangcheol, has been selected as the lead institution for the Korea-US joint research and development (R&D) project in shipbuilding, and will collaborate with US research institutions to develop next-generation AI-based shipbuilding technologies. In line with the current direction of Korea-US shipbuilding cooperation promoted by the government, the company plans to accelerate the acquisition of core technologies for future shipbuilding and enhance its global competitiveness.

HJ Heavy Industries announced on the 24th that, as the lead organization, it attended the inauguration ceremony of the Korea-US Shipbuilding Cooperation Partnership Center held in Washington DC, USA, on the 23rd, where it signed a joint research and development agreement with San Diego State University (SDSU).

This project is part of the core technology development program for the shipbuilding and marine industries led by the Ministry of Trade, Industry and Energy. Among the eight Korea-US joint R&D projects selected by the government, HJ Heavy Industries has taken on the task of developing a physical AI-integrated friction stir welding (FSW) system for autonomous aluminum panel manufacturing, which falls under the AI-related sector.

The opening ceremony for the Korea-US Shipbuilding Cooperation Partnership Center is underway.

Friction stir welding (FSW) is a solid-state joining technology that bonds metals using frictional heat and pressure, without melting the metal. This process enables high-strength, high-quality welding of aluminum panels, which was difficult to achieve with conventional arc welding, and is gaining attention as a next-generation welding technology. With superior energy efficiency and processing stability, it is considered a key technology for lightweight shipbuilding and improved fuel efficiency, as well as for responding to the expansion of the global eco-friendly ship market.

HJ Heavy Industries, as the lead institution, will develop AI-based friction stir welding process optimization technologies in collaboration with the Korea Research Institute of Ship and Ocean Engineering (KRISO) and Kyungpook National University. San Diego State University in the US and the domestic firm Sanglim MSP will be responsible for system hardware and tool design and manufacturing. Samsung Heavy Industries, Hanwha Ocean, and the Gangnam district will participate as client organizations to enhance the on-site applicability and effectiveness of the developed technology.

This joint research and development is regarded as a project that aligns with the Korea-US shipbuilding cooperation initiative, MASGA. It is expected to broaden the foundation for technological cooperation between American shipyards and research institutes, create synergies in the entry of domestic shipbuilding equipment into the US market, and further expand the maintenance, repair, and overhaul (MRO) business for US Navy vessels.

HJ Heavy Industries took a commemorative photo after signing a memorandum of understanding for joint research and development with San Diego State University during the opening ceremony of the Korea-U.S. Shipbuilding Cooperation Partnership Center held in Washington, D.C. on the 23rd.

HJ Heavy Industries expects that, by securing source technology for high-quality solid-state joining through R&D, it will be possible to expand the technology not only in shipbuilding and defense but also into related industries such as aerospace and manufacturing. The company also anticipates that this will support small- and medium-sized enterprises and foster the manufacturing ecosystem.

HJ Heavy Industries possesses advanced construction technologies for special ships based on aluminum alloys, such as naval high-speed landing craft (LSF) and multipurpose training support ships (MTB). The company has established MRO competitiveness through life-cycle maintenance and performance improvement projects. HJ Heavy Industries expects that the new AI-based welding technology will further enhance its competitiveness when combined with its existing expertise in special shipbuilding technologies.

Yoo Sangcheol, CEO of HJ Heavy Industries, emphasized, “This Korea-US joint technology development in shipbuilding will combine the strengths of both countries, secure future technology competitiveness, and serve as a symbolic case of jointly driving the eco-friendly digital transformation.”

He added, “Through close cooperation among shipyards, companies, and research institutions of both countries, we will accelerate the development and commercialization of next-generation core technologies and create new growth models in the global market.”

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.