Long Beach:South Korean shipbuilder HD Hyundai Co. announced that it has successfully demonstrated autonomous vessel technology in the United States, in collaboration with U.S. defense technology company Anduril Industries.

According to Yonhap News Agency, the companies conducted a joint trial off the coast of Long Beach, California, marking the first instance of South Korean autonomous navigation technology being tested in U.S. waters. The 3 1/2-hour trial included demonstrations of autonomous navigation, mission changes, coordinated fleet operations, and emergency responses to system failures, all monitored in real time from shore-based control stations.

The trial utilized a modified 368-ton vessel, previously operated by the U.S. Navy, which was equipped with HD Korea Shipbuilding and Offshore Engineering's autonomous navigation platform, VAOne, and Anduril's Lattice software platform. This software facilitates autonomous mission management and coordination.

This successful demonstration highlights HD Hyundai's strategic efforts to penetrate the U.S. defense market by merging its shipbuilding capabilities with Anduril's advanced autonomous systems technology.

In addition, HD Hyundai and Anduril are collaboratively constructing an unmanned vessel at HD Hyundai's shipyard in Ulsan, located about 300 kilometers southeast of Seoul. The vessel is slated for sea trials off the U.S. coast next month.