Eni has signed a memorandum of understanding with Generative Bionics, the Genoa-based company developing humanoid robots powered by Physical AI. Announced on September 30, the agreement centers on GENE.01, the company’s humanoid robot. The two organizations will assess how it can be deployed across Eni’s operations while collaborating on components, industrial facilities and artificial intelligence models.
Part of the agreement focuses on real-world applications. Eni and Generative Bionics will identify potential use cases for humanoid robots within the group’s industrial environments, with particular attention to inspection, teleoperation, remote assistance and support in complex settings. Each use case will be evaluated to determine how the robot can enhance operational safety and efficiency.
Another area of collaboration concerns the robot’s foot system. Versalis, Eni’s chemical company, and Finproject, its subsidiary specializing in ultra-lightweight materials, will work on the evolution of GENE.01’s foot-and-shoe system. The goal is to develop a lighter and more durable foot capable of better shock absorption, improved grip and easier assembly. The companies will also explore ways to industrialize and commercialize the sensor-equipped footwear developed by Generative Bionics, leveraging Eni’s materials expertise, industrial capabilities and distribution channels.
Eni will also evaluate the possibility of making its industrial sites available for future robot manufacturing, assembly and testing activities. The partnership may also extend to battery-related solutions, including their use, disposal and recycling within the humanoid robot production cycle. In addition, the energy group could provide Generative Bionics with access to its high-performance computing (HPC) capabilities to train and validate the Physical AI models that enable robots to move and interact with their environment.
The relationship between the two companies began earlier. In December 2025, Eni invested in Generative Bionics through Eni Next, its corporate venture capital company, participating in the €70 million funding round that supported the startup’s launch. In February 2026, Generative Bionics signed an agreement with Fincantieri to bring humanoid robots into shipyard welding operations. In its announcement, the company described the agreement with Eni as a strategic step in the industrialization of GENE.01, as it will enable the platform to be tested and validated in real operational environments.
Generative Bionics was founded from the humanoid robotics research of the Italian Institute of Technology (IIT) and is led by Daniele Pucci. The company is headquartered at Erzelli, on Via Enrico Melen. In less than ten months since its launch, it has signed agreements with Fincantieri, Italdesign, Synapticon and now Eni.
