TRIESTE – A quadruped robot is being put to work at the Monfalcone shipyard to monitor progress on ships under construction.
Fincantieri has launched a pilot phase using a ‘robot dog’ equipped with a laser scanner to capture 3D surveys of outfitted areas and compare them with the digital model.
The system is used on blocks assembled on the ground and in tighter spaces inside the hull, where it performs high-definition surveys, focusing in particular on overhead-installed systems such as HVAC ducting, piping and cable trays. The collected data are converted into a point cloud and compared with the ship’s CAD model, making it possible to verify precisely what has already been installed and what is still missing. The result is continuous monitoring of work progress, with reports supporting project management and quality control.
The quadruped fits into a broader programme integrating robotics and artificial intelligence into production processes. Alongside mobile robots, the group is also testing humanoid and collaborative robots designed to support repetitive or high-risk tasks, such as installations in complex spaces and visual quality inspections. The approach is collaborative robotics: technology and operators work together, with 3D perception systems and AI algorithms supporting operations.
This direction also includes the humanoid welding robot project developed with Generative Bionics, designed to operate in complex production environments and reduce workers’ exposure to the most demanding tasks.
The trial launched in Monfalcone represents a further step in the industrial application of these technologies. If the pilot phase proves successful, the ‘robot dog’ could be extended to the group’s other facilities, strengthening integration between heavy manufacturing and advanced digital systems.
