HD Hyundai is joining hands with U.S. artificial intelligence (AI) defense company Anduril Industries to enter the autonomous unmanned surface vessel (ASV) market.
HD Hyundai said on the 23rd that it recently signed an "ASV design and construction and AI solutions supply agreement" with Anduril at the Westin Josun Hotel in Jung-gu, Seoul. HD Hyundai and Anduril plan to complete development and construction of an ASV prototype by next year and move to secure a lead in the global market, including the United States. HD Hyundai will handle ASV construction, while Anduril will be in charge of key AI solutions such as autonomous navigation technology.
Chung Ki-sun, chair of HD Hyundai, said at the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) CEO Summit forum that "when the companies' capabilities in autonomous ship navigation technology and autonomous mission execution are combined, it will completely change the paradigm of naval operations."
Joo Won-ho, president of HD Hyundai Heavy Industries, said at the signing ceremony, "This will mark a new milestone as defense corporations in Korea and the United States cooperate to jointly develop warships," adding, "By partnering the world's top AI defense company with the world's top shipyard, we will also take the lead in introducing manned-unmanned teaming systems pursued by navies worldwide."
Palmer Luckey, co-founder of Anduril, said, "We are pleased to build the first ASV at HD Hyundai's Ulsan yard, which has world-class design and construction capabilities," adding, "We look forward to even greater cooperation with HD Hyundai in the global defense market, including the United States and Korea."