“MR4Weld”: The robotized mobile solution for shipbuilding developed by Comau and Fincantieri

MR4Weld (Mobile Robot for Welding) is an innovative outdoor automation solution developed by Comau in partnership with Fincantieri, a world leader in shipbuilding. ©Comau.

Field tested and now enhanced with a higher payload robotics, the innovative outdoor automation solution has proven to improve quality, performance and well-being during labor-intensive welding activities.

Automation beyond the factory floor

MR4Weld represents a shift from fixed automation toward mobile, in-field robotics capable of operating where production is needed. The solution integrates a high-payload, 6-axis articulated robot mounted on a tracked mobile platform. Equipped with a welding torch, advanced sensors, and AI-enabled vision systems, MR4Weld autonomously identifies welding joints and executes optimized welding paths. Operators define the start and end points of the weld, after which the robot autonomously follows the designated trajectory using its vision system.

A key differentiator is the robot’s self-adaptive capability. Before executing a weld, MR4Weld scans the work area and determines the optimal process parameters, including the number of passes required for each joint. This ensures consistent quality even in environments where material conditions and geometries vary significantly from one section to another.

Another differentiator is its use of a metalanguage interface that translates human instructions into robot commands. This eliminates the need for specialized robot programming skills, allowing operators to focus on supervision, quality control, and process optimization.

Enhanced human-centered technology

MR4Weld was developed in response to a growing shortage of skilled welders, a challenge affecting multiple industrial sectors. Engineered as a collaborative system in which human operators and robotics work side by side without physical barriers, MR4Weld allows workers to transition from manual welding to higher-value activities such as process management and quality assurance, supported by intuitive interfaces and automated decision-making. Furthermore, its advanced laser scanning technologies continuously monitor the surrounding environment, enabling the robot to detect the presence or absence of operators in real time. This ensures safe interaction while maintaining uninterrupted operation.

Comau’s human-centric approach not only improves safety but also enhances productivity. By combining automated welding execution with human oversight, MR4Weld accelerates welding operations by up to 2.7 times compared to manual processes, while maintaining high precision and repeatability. At the same time, operators are removed from direct exposure to welding fumes and physically demanding tasks, improving overall working conditions.

Advancing mobile robotics

To ensure uninterrupted mobility, the tracked undercarriage allows MR4Weld to move across complex shipyard environments, including multiple decks and confined spaces, without requiring dedicated infrastructure. A single operator can manage both positioning and operation, ensuring flexibility across different production stages.

From a technical perspective, Comau has recently enhanced the system’s performance by increasing the robot payload capacity from 7 kg to 12 kg without increasing the overall weight of the unit. This improvement expands the range of welding applications while preserving the system’s mobility and ease of deployment.

MR4Weld also integrates seamlessly with digital manufacturing ecosystems. The solution is in.Grid-ready, meaning it can connect to Comau’s in.Grid platform for real-time monitoring, data collection, and process control. This enables full traceability of welding operations, supports predictive maintenance, and provides actionable insights for continuous optimization. This in turn ensures both productivity and long-term operational efficiency.

A scalable approach to unstructured environments

MR4Weld demonstrates how advanced robotics, artificial intelligence, and vision systems can be combined to extend automation into environments traditionally dominated by manual labor. By integrating autonomous decision-making, human-robot collaboration, and mobile deployment, the solution delivers an efficient, flexible and scalable approach to welding in complex industrial contexts.

In addition to enabling new approaches to mobile robotics in unstructured environments, MR4Weld reflects Comau’s focus on developing flexible solutions for production scenarios in industry sectors where variability and working conditions make traditional automation difficult to apply. By combining mobility with intelligent robotics, the system delivers consistent welding quality directly in the field, even in dynamic conditions. As such, MR4Weld establishes a foundation for future mobile robotic applications capable of addressing both productivity and workforce challenges in modern manufacturing.