CARSON, Calif. (April 6, 2026) — HII (NYSE: HII) and GrayMatter Robotics (GMR) today signed a memorandum of understanding to explore the integration of GMR’s physics AI into shipbuilding operations that could accelerate throughput, strengthen the maritime industrial base and increase the shipbuilding workforce. This will include the introduction of autonomous surface preparation, coating and inspection technologies in shipbuilding. The MoU signing ceremony took place at the GrayMatter Robotics headquarters in the presence of Eric Chewning, Executive Vice President of Maritime Systems and Corporate Strategy of HII, and Ariyan Kabir, CEO and Co-Founder of GrayMatter Robotics.
“We are in the midst of a renaissance in American shipbuilding and we are extremely excited to partner with GrayMatter Robotics to explore the integration of their cutting-edge physics AI models into our shipbuilding operations,” Chewning said. “Our shipbuilding throughput increased by 14% in 2025 and we envision an additional 15% increase in 2026. By working with new partners like GMR, we can further increase our workforce and accelerate the U.S. Navy’s shipbuilding production. I look forward to co-developing AI-based autonomous manufacturing solutions and integrating them into our High-Performance Production Robotics (HYPR) initiative that leverages physical AI technologies in our processes Navigating this transformational partnership has the potential to increase our throughput without sacrificing quality.
HII and GrayMatter Robotics will work to identify and potentially pursue future opportunities in four areas, including developing autonomous shipbuilding capabilities, integrating GMR technologies with other shipbuilding technology initiatives, training the workforce to expand automation, and accelerating and scaling the production of unmanned systems. Along with other innovative shipbuilding technologies, GMR would increase the shipbuilding workforce, automate structural production, and accelerate throughput to advance national security objectives.
“GrayMatter Robotics is proud to lead the charge to bring Factory SuperIntelligence to strengthen our national security through this partnership with HII,” Kabir said. “We’re partnering with HII to solve tough problems. We’ll be working to reduce lead times, build our arsenal, build critical components for our warfighters, and we need to do it very, very quickly. Closing the gap between demand and capacity is of the utmost importance – right after making sure we deliver the right quality and consistency, and eliminating scrap, repairs and rework.”
Following the MoU signing ceremony, HII participants, local dignitaries and GMR stakeholders toured GrayMatter Robotics’ Physical AI Experience Center and observed demonstrations. The demonstrations showed how GMR’s AI-driven robotic systems are applicable to naval manufacturing work, ranging from sanding, grinding and sandblasting to coating and inspection. The demonstrations show how GMR’s AI systems can adapt to the diversity and high variability of shipyard production, while maintaining high standards in terms of speed and with efficient use of materials.
Currently, HII shipbuilders combine advanced digital tools, modernized facilities and ancestral know-how to build the Navy’s most complex ships. As welding automation and other AI technologies continue to advance, much of the work remains hands-on and highly skilled, with tasks such as sandblasting, grinding and coating requiring strict adherence to requirements. AI-based technologies offer promising opportunities to support these critical processes by reducing repetitive work and improving consistency to accelerate delivery times and meet the growing demands of the U.S. Navy.