HD Hyundai, Palantir team up for unmanned surface vehicle

HD Hyundai Co., a South Korean shipbuilding and machinery conglomerate, joined hands with US artificial intelligence defense contractor Palantir Technologies Inc. for the development of an unmanned surface vehicle (USV), a game-changer in future naval warfare, to improve its competitiveness in the special ship business.

The vessel operating on the surface of the water without a crew is regarded as vital to various operations such as sea mine search and removal, as well as in combat, replacing manned ships.

HD Hyundai said on Sunday it has signed a memorandum of understanding with Palantir to develop a reconnaissance USV by 2026 and a battleship model later at the US company’s office in Washington, D.C.

“The two companies plan to pioneer the unmanned warship market, a blue ocean dominated by cutting-edge technology, based on the achievements and trust the partners have built up so far,” said Joo Won Ho, chief executive of the naval and special ship unit of HD Hyundai Heavy Industries Co. that handles HD Hyundai’s defense business.

HD Hyundai Heavy Industries has been increasing cooperation with major global defense companies such as GE Aerospace to expand its presence in the naval vessel industry.

TO MANAGE ENTIRE OPERATIONAL ENVIRONMENT THROUGH AI

It is difficult to sail the existing USVs in tough conditions such as high waves, and those ships are less capable of military operations than warships with crew, HD Hyundai said.

HD Hyundai and Palantir, which have already been collaborating on big data platforms, aim to introduce a USV they have already developed with autonomous sailing technology and advanced defense AI technology.

The two companies plan to combine self-sailing software by Avikus Co., HD Hyundai’s wholly owned autonomous ship navigation subsidiary, and an AI-based mission autonomy technology by Palantir for the goal. HD Hyundai is set to integrate high-tech equipment and systems for the USV while developing a high-performance body for the vessel.

HD Hyundai and Palantir expected the USV’s deployment to allow navies to manage the entire operational environment through AI platforms.

The two firms are also slated to optimize the USV model to meet future US and South Korean demand.

Ryan Taylor, Palantir’s chief revenue officer and chief legal officer, said the company will continue to work on establishing a defense ecosystem to solidify the competitive advantage of the US and its allies.

Write to Hyung-Kyu Kim at khk@hankyung.com

Jongwoo Cheon edited this article.