HD Hyundai, AI firm Palantir to develop unmanned surface vessel
Seoul, April 14 (IANS) South Korean shipbuilder HD Hyundai Heavy Industries said on Sunday it has partnered with US artificial intelligence (AI) company Palantir Technologies (NYSE:PLTR) to co-develop an unmanned surface vessel (USV) for maritime surveillance. Under the Memorandum of Understanding signed recently, the two companies will cooperate in developing a USV for maritime surveillance by 2026 and later expand their partnership to produce a USV for use in combat at sea.
HD Hyundai said USVs are considered a game-changer in future naval warfare, as they replace traditional manned vessels to undertake various missions in hazardous zones, including surveillance, mine detection and removal, and combat, reports Yonhap news agency.
For the project, HD Hyundai said it plans to integrate the autonomous navigation software from its subsidiary Avikus with Palantir’s AI-based mission autonomy technology.
Palantir Technologies has served major clients such as the US Department of Defense, the Navy, and the Army. It has participated in projects such as the modernisation of integrated combat systems for the American Navy through collaboration with Lockheed Martin (NYSE:LMT).
Joo Won-ho, head of the naval special ship business unit at HD Hyundai Heavy, said: “The USV market is a blue ocean market where advanced technology plays a decisive role.”
He added that HD Hyundai and Palantir will pioneer this field based on the achievements and trust accumulated by both companies.
That’s interesting! This collaboration between HD Hyundai, a South Korean shipbuilder, and Palantir, an American AI company, has the potential to be a game-changer in naval technology. Here’s a breakdown of the key points:
- Project Goal:Â They aim to develop unmanned surface vessels (USVs) for maritime surveillance by 2026, with plans to expand to combat USVs later.
- Technology Integration:Â HD Hyundai will combine its autonomous navigation software from Avikus with Palantir’s AI-based mission autonomy technology to create intelligent USVs.
- Benefits of USVs:Â These unmanned vessels offer several advantages:
- Reduced Risk:Â They eliminate the risk of human casualties during dangerous missions.
- Enhanced Capabilities:Â USVs can potentially operate for longer durations and withstand harsher conditions compared to manned vessels.
- Cost-Effectiveness:Â They might offer a more cost-efficient solution for certain maritime operations.
Potential Applications:
- Surveillance and Patrolling:Â USVs can be deployed for tasks like border patrol, monitoring shipping lanes, and gathering intelligence.
- Mine Detection and Countermeasures:Â They could be used to identify and eliminate underwater mines, reducing risks for manned vessels.
- Combat Operations:Â The future development of combat USVs raises ethical concerns and discussions around the use of autonomous weapons.
Looking Ahead:
This collaboration signifies advancements in autonomous maritime technology. It will be interesting to see how this project unfolds and how other countries react to the development of unmanned combat vessels.