Path Robotics today announced the launch of Rove, a mobile robotic welding system that pairs the company’s Obsidian physical AI model with a quadruped robot.
The launch marks an expansion for Path Robotics – where Obsidian already delivers autonomous, adaptive welding inside fixed cells, Rove extends that capability to the field.
Shipbuilding, heavy construction, and large-scale fabrication face a shared constraint: massive assemblies, inconsistent fit-up, and workpieces that cannot be moved, let alone fixtured inside of a welding cell. These conditions have limited welding automation in the environments that need it most – just as skilled welder shortages are reaching critical levels. Rove brings welding automation to these exact environments.
“Obsidian has proven that physical AI can solve some of the hardest welding challenges inside the cell,” said Andy Lonsberry, CEO and co-founder of Path Robotics, in a statement. “Rove is a significant next step and one our customers have been seeking. Manufacturers can now deploy Obsidian wherever welding is needed – across large assemblies, production sites, and in environments where moving the part isn’t an option.”
Legged robots have long been considered too unstable for precision welding. But Obsidian helps Rove with the perception and adaptability needed to operate in high-variability environments, like shipbuilding.
Saronic Technologies, a company specializing in autonomous maritime vessels, is one of the first early adopters to evaluate the system, integrating Rove’s intelligent mobile welding into its physical AI-powered shipbuilding operations in Franklin, Louisiana.
“Building the next generation of autonomous vessels means rethinking not just how ships operate, but also how they’re made,” said John Morgan, Head of Manufacturing, Saronic. “Rove represents the kind of intelligent, adaptable tooling we need to bring shipyard operations into the modern era—we look forward to seeing what Rove can do and are excited to partner with Path Robotics as we scale production of the next generation of autonomous vessels.”
Source: ien.com
Industrial automation in clean energy is transforming how electricity is produced, stored and delivered. Its integration across diverse clean-power innovations has created systems that operate independently, adapting and responding without human intervention.
Sidel will showcase smart, user-focused technologies at Interpack 2026, highlighting solutions designed to improve productivity and flexibility. Key innovations include the Cermex RoboSelex robotic collating system and the RoboAccess_Pal S compact palletizing unit. The company has recently launched the Packaging Optimisation Tool to help producers reduce PET costs and carbon footprint.
Economies worldwide are prioritizing the integration of factory robots, as automation becomes a critical tool for boosting productivity. In the global automation race, the Western European countries reached a record 267 robots per 10,000 employees in the manufacturing industry 2024 — ahead of North America with 204 units and Asia with 131 units.
