Heavy industry remains one of the last frontiers of automation. In an age of digital transformation, many of society’s foundational industries – shipbuilding, construction, offshore energy – remain predominantly analogue. These sectors form the physical backbone of our economies, yet their production methods are often manual, slow and difficult to scale or decarbonize. This presents a structural problem. As nations race to meet climate goals, modernize infrastructure and address skilled labour shortages, we urgently need smarter, more efficient ways to build large-scale physical assets. But while digital solutions are revolutionizing sectors like finance, retail and healthcare, the factories that produce wind turbine towers or maritime vessels still rely heavily on human welding, lifting and fitting. This is beginning to change, however. A new centre in Denmark is showing how robotics and artificial intelligence (AI) can reshape how we build the physical infrastructure of the future. At the harbour in Odense, Denmark – a historic maritime city now emerging as a hub for robotics innovation – construction is under way for the new Large Structure Production (LSP) Center. Spearheaded by the University of Southern Denmark, the LSP Center aims to develop advanced robotic and digital solutions specifically for the production of large, complex structures such as ships, offshore platforms and modular buildings.

Full commentary : Robotics and automation are ushering in the 4th industrial revolution in heavy industries.