Samsung Heavy Industries and KAIST Elevate 32-Year Partnership with Next-Generation Ship Research Center
Samsung Heavy Industries (010140) and the Korea Advanced Institute of Science and Technology (KAIST) have taken their 32-year industry-academia partnership to the next level by establishing a permanent joint research framework. This move signifies a strategic shift towards the development of autonomous ships, eco-friendly propulsion technologies, and robot-based shipyards.
Establishment of the SHI-KAIST Next-Generation Ship Research Center
On the 13th, Samsung Heavy Industries held an opening ceremony for the “SHI-KAIST Next-Generation Ship Research Center (AMRC)” at KAIST’s main campus in Daejeon. The event was graced by Choi Sung-an, Vice Chairman and CEO of Samsung Heavy Industries, Bae Choong-sik, President of KAIST, and research officials from both organizations.
The research center marks a significant milestone in the collaboration between Samsung Heavy Industries and KAIST, elevating their joint research efforts since 1995 into a structured mid- to long-term R&D framework. Unlike the past ad hoc projects, the Next-Generation Ship Research Center will serve as a continuous hub for identifying technology requirements from industrial sites and executing joint projects.
Four Core Research Areas
The research center will focus on four core areas: autonomous navigation and intelligent navigation, zero-carbon and low-carbon fuel propulsion systems, smart shipyards and digital twins, and shipbuilding and marine robotics.
In the autonomous navigation field, the center aims to develop AI algorithms enabling ships to autonomously recognize surrounding vessels, obstacles, and weather conditions, and determine optimal routes and collision-avoidance paths tailored for long-distance voyages and large vessels.
Eco-friendly propulsion research will investigate core equipment and fuel supply technologies for implementing zero-carbon and low-carbon fuels like hydrogen and ammonia in ships to meet global demands for greenhouse gas reduction and carbon neutrality.
Smart shipyard research will leverage AI and digital twin technologies to enhance efficiency, quality, and cost-effectiveness in ship manufacturing processes, while marine robotics development will focus on high-risk tasks like welding and inspection to enhance worker safety and address labor shortages.
The Fruits of 32 Years of Collaboration
The partnership between Samsung Heavy Industries and KAIST, spanning over three decades, has yielded over 1,000 collaborative achievements in various shipbuilding and marine engineering domains. With the establishment of the research center, the collaboration model transitions to a permanent joint research framework, supporting new projects, student research, and personnel exchanges to drive innovation and talent development in the shipbuilding and marine industries.
Vice Chairman Choi Sung-an emphasized the importance of the long-standing collaboration, highlighting the center’s role in enhancing technological competitiveness and talent cultivation. KAIST President Bae Choong-sik expressed optimism for the research center to pioneer advancements in mechanical engineering, AI, and robotics, setting new standards for future technologies in the shipbuilding and marine industry.
