Spider Robot Learns To Weld Ships

Credit: Diden Robotics

In South Korea, robots are taking on the role of welders at shipyards. Diden Robotics has unveiled the DIDEN Spider—a four-legged, spider-like robot designed for welding, inspection, and other hazardous tasks inside ships under construction.

According to the developer’s estimates, spider robots can accelerate shipbuilding by 60–70%. This applies not only to welding but also to post-weld processing—including inspection, grinding, and painting. In collaboration with Aidin Robotics—a specialist in surface processing tools—DIDEN Spider is developing a sensor system to measure the forces exerted by robotic tools during automated surface processing.

According to Diden Robotics, the company has already signed contracts to supply robots to two South Korean shipbuilders and one European client, with the first commercial units delivered to a Korean shipbuilder in December 2025. The South Korean partners include Samsung and Hyundai, which operate some of the world’s most advanced shipyards. Deploying robots for welding and surface treatment will boost their competitiveness—a necessity given the rising prominence of Chinese shipbuilders. There is no question that Chinese firms will also adopt similar innovations; they certainly will, allowing them to keep up the pressure on Samsung and Hyundai. Ultimately, welding robots will become widespread, challenging one of the highest-paid skilled trades.

Diden Robotics reports that initial tests resulted in communication errors and spontaneous reboots of the control boards. Consequently, the company is developing its own electronics specifically designed to operate under such conditions.

The first commercial batches of welding robots are expected to appear in 2027.