TAIPEI (Taiwan News) — Shipbuilder CSBC Corp. has partnered with Techman Robot to introduce an AI-powered system and collaborative robotic arms for welding, advancing smart and automated shipbuilding.
CSBC Chair Chen Jeng-horng (陳政宏) said the company has established an automated demonstration production line. Techman’s robotic arms are primarily used for welding ship components, significantly improving production efficiency, with mass production testing expected to begin next year, per CNA.
Techman Robot said its TM6S robotic arm, designed for welding applications, has a 1.8-meter reach and a 6-kg payload. Equipped with a vision module, the system can precisely locate weld points, while an integrated AI-powered system performs quality inspections. The device also uses Nvidia Omniverse for 3D operational simulations, allowing workflows to be verified before on-site deployment.
Chen noted the two companies will continue their collaboration to develop more compact robotic arms, aimed at meeting welding demands in confined spaces such as ship cabins while improving worker safety.
Shipbuilding involves complex, labor-intensive processes such as welding and assembly, CSBC said. To address the slower pace of automation compared with sectors like electronics and automotive manufacturing, the company has also partnered with US welding automation manufacturer Amet Inc. to boost shipbuilding efficiency.
CSBC added that it has established a dedicated production line for its unmanned vessel Endeavor Manta, with the capacity to produce one vessel every seven to 10 days. To meet growing market demand and government procurement needs, the company plans to expand its production lines and work with domestic partners to boost annual capacity.
Since April, CSBC has cooperated with local tech firms to develop a 5G-enabled shipyard, deploying a high-speed, low-latency 5G network integrated with AI technology, digital modeling, and IoT devices. The network links heavy machinery, inspection vehicles, and monitoring equipment to enhance management efficiency and reduce operational errors.
