ABS, Persona AI partner to test humanoid robots in shipyards (and hopefully minimize rust)

The American Bureau of Shipping (ABS), a maritime safety classification society, and robotics firm Persona AI have signed a memorandum of understanding to test humanoid robots in shipyard environments. This collaboration represents a significant step toward integrating advanced robotics into maritime construction, potentially transforming how ships are built and inspected while establishing new industry standards for robotic certification.

What you should know: The partnership will focus on developing inspection technologies for Persona AI’s humanoid robot platform, which incorporates NASA’s robotic hand technology.

• Unlike fixed industrial robots, these humanoid models are designed to operate in facilities built for people, giving them greater mobility and flexibility in confined or ergonomically challenging shipyard spaces.
• The collaboration will launch joint development projects to collect and evaluate robotic data during ship construction.

Why this matters: The initiative could establish new ABS standards covering the types and quality of data required for digital and remote surveys.

• These standards would guide future robot design and establish methods for applying robotic data in certification and compliance processes.
• The work draws on ABS’ ongoing investments in artificial intelligence and data evaluation, positioning the maritime industry for technological transformation.

What they’re saying: Industry leaders see this as a pivotal moment for both robotics and shipbuilding.

• “ABS is proud to lead the way in advancing the safe integration of emerging technologies into the maritime industry,” said John McDonald, ABS president and chief operating officer. “This collaboration with Persona AI reflects our commitment to innovation and safety, as we work to establish the standards and protocols that will enable humanoid robots to perform complex tasks reliably and securely in shipyard environments.”
• Nic Radford, CEO and co-founder of Persona AI, emphasized the partnership’s significance: “Partnering with ABS, the global authority on maritime standards, demonstrates that humanoid robotics are no longer a distant concept but on a path toward certified reality, set to transform how this industry builds, innovates, and competes.”

The big picture: This partnership signals the maritime industry’s shift toward advanced automation, with humanoid robots potentially handling complex inspection and construction tasks that have traditionally required human workers in challenging shipyard environments.