Fincantieri is developing and testing a humanoid robot for use in welding, focusing on structural seams, digital traceability, and potential application in superyachts over 130 metres.
The shipyard’s Sestri Ponente, Italy, facility has teamed with Generative Bionics, an Italian company focused on the development of autonomous humanoid robots to develop the Gene.01 humanoid robot, designed to operate alongside humans in the Group’s shipyards.
The goal of the collaboration is to increase safety and operational efficiency, improve production quality, and enhance the sustainability of work in shipyards.
The robot will be equipped with artificial intelligence as well as advanced manipulation, perception, and vision capabilities dedicated to monitoring the welding seam, along with optimised movement to operate in complex environments.
The collaboration programme is expected to span a total of four years, with a focus on rapid deployment in operational settings.
The Sestri Ponente shipyard plays a central role as an industrial laboratory where technology, safety, and skills evolve together
Pierroberto Folgiero
Initial on-site tests are scheduled by the end of 2026, with the objective of making operational functionalities available within the first two years, followed by further refinement, expansion, and industrial certification activities.
The collaboration is part of Fincantieri’s broader strategy in advanced robotics, Physical AI and innovation.
The adoption of solutions based on Physical AI systems supports production continuity and assists workers in repetitive, physically demanding, or ergonomically challenging tasks, while maintaining high standards of quality and safety, says Fincantieri.
For Generative Bionics, the project represents one of the first structured industrial validation pathways for its platform in a high-complexity manufacturing environment.
The project also complements other ongoing robotics validation initiatives within the Fincantieri Group, expanding the range of manufacturing activities that can be carried out using advanced solutions.
Transformation journey
“The collaboration with Generative Bionics is part of the transformation journey we are undertaking to strengthen our operational excellence, enhance the work of our people, and address in a structured way the challenges related to growing production complexity and the availability of specialised skills,” said Pierroberto Folgiero, chief executive officer and general manager of Fincantieri.
“In this context, the Sestri Ponente shipyard plays a central role as an industrial laboratory where technology, safety, and skills evolve together, allowing us to integrate advanced robotics solutions in support of the most demanding and repetitive tasks, while maintaining high standards of quality, sustainability, and labour protection.”
Daniele Pucci, CEO and co-founder of Generative Bionics, added: “The collaboration with Fincantieri is part of our path toward industrialisation and market deployment.
“Shipyards represent a strategic asset for global manufacturing, which is why we chose Fincantieri to demonstrate how our Physical AI solutions can translate into reliable, safe, and truly useful systems.”
