Samsung Heavy Industries launched the "next-generation ship research center" to study future shipbuilding and offshore technologies such as artificial intelligence (AI), energy, and digital transformation with the Korea Advanced Institute of Science and Technology (KAIST).
On the 13th, Samsung Heavy Industries said it held an opening ceremony for the "SHI-KAIST Advanced Maritime Research Center (AMRC)" at KAIST's main campus in Daejeon. Attendees included CEO Choi Sung-an of Samsung Heavy Industries, President Bae Choong-sik of KAIST, and officials from the Samsung Heavy Industries Ship and Offshore Research Institute and KAIST's Department of Mechanical Engineering.
Samsung Heavy Industries said it plans to promote joint research with KAIST through the AMRC in fields that can be linked to shipbuilding technologies such as AI and Robotics and eco-friendly solutions. The main research areas are ▲ autonomous navigation and intelligent navigation AI technology ▲ zero- and low-carbon fuel propulsion systems ▲ smart shipyard Digital Twin manufacturing innovation ▲ shipbuilding and offshore specialized Robotics.
Specifically, Samsung Heavy Industries and KAIST plan to jointly study AI algorithms to advance autonomous navigation systems, including optimal route sailing, through the "autonomous navigation and intelligent navigation AI technology" field. Through the "zero- and low-carbon fuel propulsion systems" field, they will research core equipment and fuel supply for eco-friendly fuel propulsion ships using ammonia and hydrogen.
Through the "smart shipyard and Digital Twin manufacturing innovation" research, the two institutions will cooperate on digital transformation technologies for AI-based shipbuilding manufacturing processes such as production management. In the "shipbuilding and offshore specialized Robotics" field, they plan to jointly study robotic technologies for automating on-site processes such as welding, painting, and inspection.
Samsung Heavy Industries and KAIST also plan to promote student research support and scholarship programs through industry-academia cooperation funds.
CEO Choi Sung-an of Samsung Heavy Industries said, "I find it meaningful that our 32 years of cooperation with KAIST has borne fruit with the establishment of the next-generation ship research center," adding, "We will further accelerate efforts to secure technological competitiveness and train talent in the future shipbuilding and offshore industry, including autonomous navigation, eco-friendly ships, and smart manufacturing."
Previously, Samsung Heavy Industries and KAIST established the "SHI-KAIST industry-academia cooperation council" in 1995 and have collaborated for 32 years, conducting more than 1,000 joint research projects through programs such as the advisory professor system.