Hanwha Ocean taps KIRO to develop shipyard humanoid robots
The state robotics institute will test physical AI and autonomous systems at the Geoje yard as South Korean shipbuilders race to automate heavy assembly lines.
SJBy So-yeon Jung, Korea correspondent, energy and grid··Updated October 1, 2026·3 min read
ShareLinkedInXWhatsAppEmailA shipyard worker watches an industrial humanoid robot position its arms against a large steel plate inside an assembly hall. (AI-generated image)
The Korea Institute of Robotics & Technology Convergence said Oct. 1 it agreed to develop industrial humanoid robots with shipbuilder Hanwha Ocean to automate heavy assembly at its Geoje shipyard.
The state-backed research institute, known as KIRO, develops specialized automation hardware for hazardous industrial settings. Hanwha Ocean operates one of the world's largest commercial shipyards, constructing liquefied natural gas carriers and naval vessels.
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Korea correspondent, energy and grid — So-yeon Jung covers industrial power supply, transmission investment and the fuel procurement decisions that set Korean manufacturing costs.
