HII Partners with Path Robotics to Integrate AI Welding into Shipbuilding

The collaboration aims to accelerate shipbuilding production and strengthen the maritime industrial base.

Published on Feb. 19, 2026

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HII, the largest U.S. military shipbuilder, has signed a memorandum of understanding with Path Robotics to explore integrating Path's physical artificial intelligence (AI) welding technology into HII's shipbuilding operations. The partnership seeks to boost throughput, augment the shipbuilding workforce, and advance national security objectives through autonomous welding capabilities.

Why it matters

Welding is a critical but labor-intensive process in shipbuilding, and automating it with AI-powered systems could significantly improve productivity and efficiency for HII as it works to meet the U.S. Navy's growing demand for ships. This collaboration also aims to strengthen the domestic maritime industrial base by incorporating innovative technologies.

The details

Under the agreement, HII and Path Robotics will work to develop autonomous shipbuilding capabilities, train a workforce to use automation, and establish an intellectual property framework for physical AI-based autonomous welding systems. They will also pursue R&D to integrate Path's AI welding models with other HII shipbuilding technologies, including unmanned surface vehicles, to further automate structural production and accelerate throughput.

  • The MOU signing ceremony took place on February 17, 2026 at Path Robotics' headquarters.

The players

HII

America's largest military shipbuilder, delivering powerful ships and all-domain mission technologies, including unmanned systems, to U.S. and allied defense customers.

Path Robotics

A company that builds physical AI for manufacturing, starting with its welding model, Obsidian. Path's intelligent welding cells can perform complex, variable welds that traditional automation cannot, enabling manufacturers to overcome labor shortages while increasing production capacity and quality.

Eric Chewning

HII's executive vice president of maritime systems and corporate strategy.

Andy Lonsberry

CEO and co-founder of Path Robotics.

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What they’re saying

“We are excited to partner with Path Robotics to incorporate their state-of-the-art physical AI models to further augment our workforce and speed up U.S. Navy manned and unmanned shipbuilding production.”

— Eric Chewning, HII's executive vice president of maritime systems and corporate strategy

“Partnering with the nation's largest military shipbuilder during such a critical time for national defense and manufacturing underscores the importance of what we're building at Path.”

— Andy Lonsberry, CEO and co-founder of Path Robotics

What’s next

HII and Path Robotics will work to identify and potentially pursue future opportunities in autonomous shipbuilding capability development, workforce training for automation, and establishing an intellectual property framework for physical AI-based autonomous welding systems.

The takeaway

This partnership between HII and Path Robotics aims to leverage cutting-edge AI welding technology to boost shipbuilding productivity, strengthen the domestic maritime industrial base, and support the U.S. Navy's growing demand for ships and naval capabilities.