Italy's Eni to Cooperate With Humanoid Robotics Company Generative Bionics

Italy’s energy company Eni has signed a memorandum of understanding with Generative Bionics to explore the industrial applications of humanoid robots, as companies increasingly examine how Physical AI can be used in demanding operational environments.

Under the agreement, the two companies will identify potential use cases for Generative Bionics’ humanoid robots within Eni’s industrial and operational activities. The goal is to assess whether the technology can improve workplace safety and operational efficiency, Eni said on Wednesday.

Generative Bionics is an Italian deep-tech company specializing in humanoid robots powered by Physical AI, a field focused on enabling artificial intelligence systems to perceive and interact with the physical world. The company was founded in 2024 and grew out of research conducted at the Italian Institute of Technology.

The collaboration will also examine components and materials for humanoid robots through Eni’s chemicals division, Versalis. This could allow the companies to explore how materials developed within Eni’s industrial businesses can contribute to future robotic systems.

Another part of the agreement involves sensor-equipped footwear developed by Generative Bionics. The companies will evaluate options to industrialize and commercialize the footwear using Eni’s materials, technical expertise and market channels.

Generative Bionics has been expanding its industrial partnerships as it moves from robotics research toward commercial applications. In February, the company began a four-year partnership with Italian shipbuilder Fincantieri to develop a humanoid robot capable of supporting welding operations in shipyards. Initial testing at Fincantieri’s Sestri Ponente shipyard is planned during 2026.

The company also raised €70 million in December 2025 in a funding round led by CDP Venture Capital’s Artificial Intelligence Fund, with participation from AMD Ventures, Duferco, Eni Next, RoboIT and Tether. Its robots are designed for industrial environments and tasks that can be repetitive, hazardous or physically demanding.

For Eni, the agreement expands its exploration of robotics and AI across industrial operations. For Generative Bionics, the partnership provides another potential route for testing humanoid technology in large-scale industrial settings.

The collaboration reflects a wider push by European companies to bring Physical AI and humanoid robotics into manufacturing, energy and other industrial environments, where robots could eventually assist workers with tasks requiring mobility, perception and physical interaction.