Change in the maritime industry is moving fast. Setting Course, an ABS Podcast, brings you candid conversations with the leaders shaping that change.

Join us as we go beyond the headlines and into what actually matters to the industry's decision-makers, discussing the latest in maritime innovation, sustainability and safety.

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While additive manufacturing, also known as 3D printing, offers transformative potential for the marine and offshore industries, broad adoption will require trust and buy-in from key stakeholders.

In this episode of Setting Course, an ABS Podcast, Conrad Kao, Director of Additive Manufacturing for Howco Group, and Michael Kei, Vice President of Technology for ABS, joined host Brad Cox to discuss the role of data analysis and machine learning in building trust in and validating components produced with AM.

Share this episode on social media, leave a review on your favorite podcast platform or send feedback to podcast@eagle.org. Learn more about how ABS is supporting the maritime industry at www.eagle.org.

Key Points

• Machine learning can help optimize additive manufacturing processes.
• Trust in equipment is critical for marine applications.
• Data-driven certification can reduce lead times and costs.
• Human oversight is essential for safety and compliance.
• Standards are crucial for the adoption of new technologies.
• The future of manufacturing is increasingly digital.
• Collaboration is needed to develop universal standards.

Guests

Conrad Kao, PE, is a seasoned engineering leader and Director of Additive Manufacturing at Howco Group, where he drives strategic integration of advanced metal additive technologies to solve complex supply chain and production challenges, particularly in the oil and gas, aerospace, and high-performance industrial sectors. With a strong foundation in mechanical engineering and a Professional Engineering (PE) license, Conrad brings a unique blend of technical expertise, business insight, and practical leadership to the rapidly evolving world of additive manufacturing (AM). He is passionate about advancing additive solutions that improve part performance, reduce lead times, and enable new levels of customization and efficiency in critical applications. At Howco, Conrad oversees the company’s additive operations, championing the adoption of cutting-edge AM processes such as laser powder bed fusion and hybrid manufacturing. Under his leadership, Howco Additive has expanded its capabilities to serve demanding markets with complex geometries and high-value metal components — driving innovation from concept through qualification and production.

Michael Kei is Vice President of Technology for ABS. In his role, Michael is responsible for leading and approving technical development and maintenance of products & services to meet organizational and business needs. He has 20 years of experience in the marine and offshore industry where he has driven innovation and led high-performing teams. Michael holds a bachelor’s degree in civil engineering and a master’s in offshore engineering and has a proven track record of implementing cutting-edge solutions that enhance operational efficiency.

Imagine a future where humanoid robots work side by side with shipbuilders, enhancing efficiency and safety in the maritime industry.

In this episode, Persona AI CEO and Co-Founder Nic Radford joined Patrick Ryan, ABS Senior Vice President and CTO, to discuss the potential for humanoid robotics in shipyards. Hosted by Brad Cox, the episode was recorded at the Ion Innovation District in Houston, TX.

Join us as we discover how advances in artificial intelligence and shifting social acceptance of robots are enabling a radical change to how ships are constructed.

Don’t forget to share this episode on social media, leave a review on your favorite podcast platform or send feedback to podcast@eagle.org. Explore how ABS is helping advance the maritime industry at www.eagle.org.

Key Takeaways

• Environmental challenges in shipyards hinder traditional automation.
• The robotic hand allows for flexibility in using existing tools.
• Humanoids can work alongside humans without needing facility redesign.
• Automation can supplement the workforce rather than replace it.
• Safety benefits include reducing human exposure to hazardous environments.
• AI has made significant strides in processing and vision capabilities.

Guests

Nicolaus Radford is the Co-Founder and CEO of Persona AI, with more than 25 years of experience designing, developing, and commercializing advanced robotics technologies for space, defense, and industry. Previously, he founded Nauticus Robotics, a NASDAQ listed maritime robotics company, which developed and deployed autonomous underwater vehicles and autonomous surface ships. He also founded Jacobi Motors, an electric motor company serving traction motor markets. He also founded and serves as Managing Partner of Rad Capital Ventures, a successful hedge fund exposed to trading electricity.

Prior to founding all his technology ventures, he spent 15 years at NASA’s Johnson Space Center, where he led several of the agency’s robotics initiatives for future spaceflight missions and International Space Station experiments, including the Valkyrie and Robonaut programs. He holds B.S. and M.S. degrees in Electrical and Computer Engineering from Purdue University and is currently pursuing a Doctorate in Business Administration at the University of Houston.

Patrick Ryan is Senior Vice President and Chief Technology Officer for ABS. He is responsible for ABS’ technology research and development, digital product development, engineering software organizations, and eight Global Technology Centers. For 21 years prior to joining ABS, he was in various ship design, program management and engineering leadership roles at the largest nuclear shipyard in the U.S.

He graduated from Virginia Tech with a bachelor’s degree in aerospace and ocean engineering, and master’s in ocean engineering. He currently sits on the Texas A&M Engineering Experiment Station (TEES) Advisory Board, University of Michigan’s College of Engineering Leadership Advisory Board (LAB), as well as Virginia Tech’s Kevin T. Crofton Department of Aerospace and Ocean Engineering Advisory Board, in addition to multiple Houston-area, non-profit volunteer boards.