AI is rapidly becoming integral across society, with physical AI expanding unmanned and autonomous production capabilities. To advance its shipbuilding expertise, HII, a major U.S. military shipbuilder for over 135 years, recently signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU) with GrayMatter Robotics to bring advanced AI initiatives into HII’s automation systems and workforce.
GrayMatter Robotics, founded in 2020 and based in Carson, California, automates high-mix tool manipulation — including surface preparation, coating, and inspection — using its Factory SuperIntelligence platform. By integrating AI into physical operations, it reports a 12x increase in skilled labor throughput and a 95% reduction in rework. The company has processed over 30 million square feet for industries such as aerospace, defense, shipbuilding, specialty vehicles, and consumer products.
HII and GrayMatter Robotics hope to develop four areas under the MOU to scale up U.S. Navy shipbuilding production and augment its workforce: autonomous shipbuilding capability, integration of GMR technologies with other shipbuilding initiatives, workforce training to extend automation, and scaling of unmanned system production. HII shipbuilders are implementing advanced digital tools, modernized facilities, and meticulous craftsmanship to build their next-generation ships. Much of the work done at HII is highly skilled, hands-on labor. Tasks such as sandblasting, grinding, and coating follow strict guidelines and require precision work. By implementing physical AI tools, GrayMatter looks to help HII reduce repetitive work, improve consistency, accelerate delivery, and increase inspection capacity. AI-human-assisted work will help increase the productivity of labor-driven tasks.
At the MOU signing, HII personnel, GMR stakeholders, and local dignitaries toured GrayMatter Robotics’ Physical AI experience center and observed firsthand how AI-driven robotic systems are applicable to naval fabrication work, including sanding, grinding, and blasting, as well as coating and inspection. “We are in the midst of an American shipbuilding renaissance, and we are extremely excited to partner with GrayMatter Robotics to explore incorporating their state-of-the-art physical AI models into our shipbuilding operations,” said Eric Chewning, HII’s executive vice president of maritime systems and corporate strategy. “Our shipbuilding throughput was up 14% in 2025, and we are looking for an additional 15% increase in 2026. By working with new partners like GMR, we can further augment our workforce and speed up U.S. Navy shipbuilding production.”
