Fincantieri partners with Generative Bionics to deploy humanoid robot welder in Italian shipyards

Italy's Fincantieri partners with Generative Bionics to develop humanoid welding robot

Feb 11 (Reuters) - Italian shipbuilder Fincantieri (FCT.MI), opens new tab said on Wednesday it had entered into a partnership with deep-tech company Generative Bionics to develop a humanoid welding robot designed to operate alongside workers in its shipyards. The four-year project aims to deploy an artificial intelligence-powered robot to support welding activities in naval manufacturing, with on-site tests set to begin by the end of 2026 at Fincantieri's Sestri Ponente shipyard in Genoa, Italy. Fincantieri said the initiative was part of its industrial plan focused on advanced robotics and "Physical AI", as it seeks to address growing production complexity and a shortage of skilled labour. "Advanced robotics and artificial intelligence applied to industrial processes represent a strategic lever for the evolution of shipbuilding and for the competitiveness of the European industrial system," Fincantieri CEO Pierroberto Folgiero said in a statement. Reporting by Laura Contemori in Gdansk; Editing by Milla Nissi-Prussak Our Standards: The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles., opens new tab

Humanoid robot welder to work alongside humans in Italian shipyards

Generative Bionics will design the humanoid robot touted to work with humans. Fincantieri's industrial expertise, coupled with its robotic platform, forms the basis of this partnership. The humanoid robot will work as a welder, thereby improving human safety, efficiency, and production quality at shipyards. As part of the initial deal, Generative Bionics will develop the robot to support specific welding activities in naval manufacturing. It will be equipped with AI and advanced capabilities for manipulation, perception, and vision. The humanoid will use these qualities to monitor the welding seam and optimize locomotion to operate in complex environments. Overall, the system aims to prioritize safety, enable worker collaboration, and maintain regulatory compliance without limiting work areas. The collaboration will span four years, with both companies focusing on rapid development in operational settings. With initial tests scheduled by the end of 2026, the partnership aims to achieve operational functionality in the first two years, followed by further development and expansion.