Eni agrees to test humanoid robots with Generative Bionics

Eni has entered into a memorandum of understanding with Italian deep-tech company Generative Bionics to test and evaluate humanoid robots powered by Physical AI, starting with the GENE.01 model. The collaboration aims to assess humanoid robots for inspection, teleoperation, remote assistance and other complex tasks across Eni's industrial asset base to improve safety and operational efficiency.

Under the agreement, Eni will examine whether its industrial sites can support the future production, assembly and testing of advanced robotic systems. The partnership also covers battery use, disposal and recycling. In addition, Eni units Versalis and Finproject will evaluate materials and design solutions for the GENE.01 robot's foot and footwear system, while exploring the commercialization of sensor-equipped footwear.

Eni plans to evaluate using its High Performance Computing infrastructure to support the training and testing of Generative Bionics' Physical AI models. The initiative reflects a broader automation push among global energy producers, where peers such as Chevron have reported more than $25 million in savings and roughly 43,000 working hours saved through robotic tank inspections since 2024.