ABS and Persona AI Launch Humanoid Robot Trial for Ship Classification

Houston, TX – September 2025 — In a groundbreaking move for the maritime industry, the American Bureau of Shipping (ABS) has announced a strategic partnership with Persona AI to test a humanoid robot for shipyard classification tasks. This initiative marks a significant step toward integrating advanced robotics and artificial intelligence into the traditionally labor-intensive shipbuilding world.

🤖 A New Era of Maritime Robotics

The humanoid robot, developed by Persona AI, is designed to operate in a shipyard’s dynamic and often unpredictable environment. Unlike traditional industrial robots in repetitive tasks like CNC cutting or panel welding, this humanoid system is built to navigate complex, shifting workspaces and collect data for remote classification surveys.

ABS plans to use the robot to gather inspection data during ship construction. This will help streamline classification processes and reduce the need for human inspectors in hazardous or hard-to-reach areas.

“This marks a defining moment for the shipbuilding industry,” said Nic Radford, CEO and Co-Founder of Persona AI. “Partnering with ABS demonstrates that humanoid robotics are no longer a distant concept but on a path toward certified reality.”

🔍 Why It Matters

• Labor Optimization: Robots can perform repetitive or dangerous tasks, freeing up skilled workers for more complex roles.
• Remote Surveying: Enables classification societies to conduct inspections without being physically present.
• Data Standardization: ABS aims to develop new standards for the type and quality of data robotic systems collect.

🌍 Global Context

This initiative follows a broader trend in the maritime sector. HD Hyundai Samho in South Korea is already testing Neura’s 4NE1, a German-made humanoid robot designed for industrial environments. Persona AI is also collaborating with HD KSOE to develop a humanoid welding robot, with prototypes expected by late 2026 and commercial deployment in 2027.