Five HD Hyundai affiliates and Avicus have signed a joint development memorandum of understanding (MoU) with KCC and TAS Global on developing and commercializing a “Total Hull Care Solution” for ships.
The system aims to integrate the full lifecycle of hull management from automated diagnosis of hull conditions, underwater cleaning, and paint damage inspection, to verification of cleaning effectiveness. It uses robots and data analytics to continuously monitor hull performance in real time rather than relying on traditional periodic, manual inspections.
A key motivation is that hull fouling significantly reduces fuel efficiency and increases emissions. The new solution is designed to address this by enabling continuous, data-driven maintenance, helping ships operate more efficiently and comply with tightening environmental regulations.
Technically, the collaboration will develop autonomous underwater robots for hull diagnosis and cleaning, standardized cleaning and antifouling paint specifications, and systems that link hull condition data with operational data to optimize fuel efficiency.
HD Hyundai is expected to lead robot development by leveraging its internal robotics capabilities with the goal of expanding into broader ship maintenance and repair markets as a new business model focused on fuel savings and carbon reduction.
The five HD Hyundai affiliates include: HD Hyundai Heavy Industries, HD Korea Shipbuilding & Marine Engineering, HD Hyundai Robotics, HD Hyundai Marine Solution.
To remind, last July, NEURA Robotics announced a strategic collaboration with HD Hyundai Samho Co., Ltd. and HD Hyundai Robotics to integrate cognitive robotics into shipyard operations.