□ Signs MOU with Royal IHC to collaborate on welding automation technology

□ HCR-5W earns high praise during exhibition… “Strengthening global partnerships”

 

 [Photo] Hanwha Robotics signs MOU with Royal IHC, a leading Dutch shipbuilder

Hanwha Robotics is joining hands with Royal IHC, one of the Netherlands’ leading shipbuilders, to develop welding automation technology.

Hanwha Robotics announced on the 10th that it had signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU) with Royal IHC to collaborate on welding automation based on collaborative robot (cobot) technology. The agreement includes:

▲ Joint development and promotion of welding automation technology

▲ Technical and personnel exchanges

▲ Sharing of information and resources

Royal IHC is one of the Netherlands’ representative shipbuilders, generating approximately KRW 700 billion (USD 500+ million) in annual sales. The company leads the construction of specialized vessels such as dredgers, naval support ships, and cable-laying vessels, and has recently focused on process innovation through the integration of automation technologies to strengthen its global competitiveness.

The MOU was signed last month during “Automatica 2025,” a robotics and automation exhibition held in Germany. At the show, Hanwha Robotics demonstrated its capabilities by unveiling its high-payload cobot HCR-32 for the first time. Royal IHC decided to pursue the partnership after witnessing various demonstrations of Hanwha’s collaborative robots at the booth.

Royal IHC particularly praised Hanwha Robotics’ HCR-5W, an ultra-lightweight, compact welding robot. Key features of the HCR-5W include:

▲ A structure that enables flexible operation even in confined ship interiors

▲ High-precision control with an accuracy margin of ±0.02 mm

▲ Multi-axis design allowing free welding from various angles

Hanwha Robotics plans to use this collaboration as a stepping stone to expand its global partnerships across shipbuilding and other industries.

Jung Byungchan, CEO of Hanwha Robotics, said,

“With robotic technologies capable of operating in the highly space-constrained shipbuilding sector, we have established our first collaboration with a major Dutch shipyard,” adding, “We will continue to strengthen partnerships not only in shipbuilding but across various industries.”