Posted on February 24, 2026
A Virginia-based company is exploring the integration of artificial intelligence (AI) for welding into shipbuilding operations. For this, HII has signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU) with Path Robotics.
The step could accelerate throughput, strengthen the maritime industrial base, and augment the shipbuilding workforce.
“We are excited to partner with Path Robotics to incorporate their state-of-the-art physical AI models to further augment our workforce and speed up U.S. Navy manned and unmanned shipbuilding production,” said Eric Chewning, HII’s executive vice president of maritime systems and corporate strategy.
Deal to extend shipbuilding automation
“Our shipbuilding throughput was up 14% in 2025, and we are looking for an additional 15% increase in 2026. By working with new partners like Path Robotics, we can further accelerate shipbuilding production. I look forward to jointly developing an autonomous AI-based welding solution that can help us meet Navy standards and be scaled in our shipyard facilities. Navigating this transformational partnership has the potential to increase our throughput efficiency without sacrificing quality.”
HII and Path Robotics will work to identify and potentially pursue future opportunities in three areas that include autonomous shipbuilding capability development, train a workforce to extend automation and establish an intellectual property framework for physical AI-based autonomous welding systems, according to a press release.
Innovative shipbuilding method
In addition, the companies will pursue research and development around integrating Path’s physical AI models with other innovative shipbuilding technologies used in the construction of HII ships, to include HII’s ROMULUS line of unmanned surface vehicles. Together these technologies would augment the welding workforce, automate structural production, and accelerate throughput to advance national security objectives, as per the release.
Real-time perception and decision-making system for shipbuilding
“Partnering with the nation’s largest military shipbuilder during such a critical time for national defense and manufacturing underscores the importance of what we’re building at Path,” said Andy Lonsberry, Path Robotics CEO and co-founder.
“Welding is one of the hardest processes to automate in any industry, and shipbuilding is no exception. Path’s physical AI is purpose-built for that challenge – seeing, understanding, and adapting to real world conditions in real time. We’re honored to work alongside HII to help modernize defense manufacturing and strengthen the naval industrial base for decades to come.”
It has been claimed that Path’s physical AI model and proprietary sensing and vision system for welding can transform a traditional industrial robot arm from a rigid, repeat-only machine into a real-time perception and decision-making system that can see, understand, and adapt to the variations of a shipbuilding environment.
Currently, HII divisions use automated robot welders that require human collaboration — they are traditional panel line units, cobot welders that work alongside shipbuilders, or mechanized welders that follow pre-programmed paths. AI-driven autonomous welding technology presents a promising potential opportunity to expand distributed shipbuilding capacity and augment HII’s skilled workforce to accelerate delivery and meet the U.S. Navy’s growing demand.
