Objective
Recovering competitiveness through automation of the ship erection process is a strategic aim for the European shipbuilders and this project is an important aim of the strategy. The objective is to alternate 30% of the welding tasks in the dock area and raise the productiveness with 10%. This is achieved by a thorough analysis of building methods and automation technologies and by developing and implementing an autonomous moveable robotic welding unit equipped with a modular long reach manipulator. Project results: Positive impact on employment, improved working conditions, a comprehensive knowledge of methods to automate the ship erection, a modular and moveable robotic system adapted to the dock environment, a welding process controller handling large weld gaps, a long reach robot manipulator, an advanced real time motion planner for multi-axis manipulators.