HD Hyundai, Palantir to develop unmanned surface vessel for recon, combat

The two firms signed a memorandum of understanding to jointly develop an unmanned surface vessel with AI technology.

Joo Won-ho, Chief Executive, Naval and Special Ship Business Unit at HD Hyundai Heavy Industries, left, and Palantir Technologies Chief Revenue Officer Ryan Taylor at a signing of a memorandum of understanding on the joint development of an unmanned surface vessel in Washington. [HD HYUNDAI]

HD Hyundai and Palantir Technologies will jointly develop an unmanned surface vessel (USV) designed for reconnaissance and combat, said the Korean shipbuilder on Sunday.

The Korean company said it signed a memorandum of understanding with the artificial intelligence (AI) firm at its office in the U.S. capital of Washington.

The two companies plan to develop a reconnaissance USV by 2026 and later expand their partnership to the development of combat USVs.

HD Hyundai’s autonomous navigational software from its subsidiary Avikus and Palantir’s AI-based mission autonomy technology will be used in the development.

"The USV is a blue ocean market where advanced technology plays a decisive role,” said Joo Won-ho, Chief Executive, Naval and Special Ship Business Unit at HD Hyundai Heavy Industries.

“We are thrilled to partner with HD Hyundai as the world’s leading shipbuilder, and to build on the work we are already doing deploying AI in Korean shipyards,” said Palantir Chief Revenue Officer Ryan Taylor.

“By bringing AI capabilities to the future of naval warfare, we are continuing to build a defense ecosystem that will cement the competitive advantage of the United States and its allies.”

Palantir has served major clients such as the U.S. Department of Defense, the Navy and the Army.

BY JIN MIN-JI [jin.minji@joongang.co.kr]