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Pilot Program Established Through Memorandum of Understanding Between Robotics Company and State Government Plans Tests with Humanoid Robots in Steel Factory in St. Bernard Parish, with Support from Economic Development Agencies and Focus on Operational Data, Advanced Manufacturing, and Industrial Workforce
Persona AI has signed a Memorandum of Understanding with the State of Louisiana to launch a pilot program with humanoid robots at SSE Steel Fabrication in St. Bernard, aiming to collect operational data and position the state as a leader in advanced manufacturing with embedded AI.
Pilot Program with Humanoids in Steel Factory
The agreement establishes the implementation of a pilot program at the SSE Steel Fabrication facilities in St. Bernard Parish. The project will use humanoid robots to operate in a steel factory environment, allowing observation of how they perceive, move, and work alongside humans.
The initiative is supported by Louisiana Innovation, a division of Louisiana Economic Development, and backed by Greater New Orleans Inc. The goal is to strengthen the state’s position in embedded artificial intelligence and workforce technologies.
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Data Collection and Strategic Objectives
During the pilot, data will be collected from humanoids working on the factory floor. The proposal is to understand the performance of these machines in heavy work environments and their interaction with human workers, contributing to practical applications outside of laboratories.
According to Josh Fleig, director of Innovation at Louisiana Economic Development, the project represents a type of applied innovation in which the state should invest.
The expectation is to create benchmarks for advanced manufacturing and next-generation workforce technologies.
Industrial Trend and Recent Investments
The presence of robots in factories has been expanding, highlighted by the investment of US$ 3 million from South Korea’s POSCO DX in Persona AI. This funding indicates a growing interest in the use of humanoids in industrial operations.
Other companies are also making strides in this direction. Automaker Hyundai has implemented similar initiatives in factories in the U.S. and showcased a humanoid at CES 2026, facing criticism from unions over job concerns.
Characteristics of the Robots and Application on the Factory Floor
The humanoid robots from Persona AI are designed to operate in spaces made for people. They differ from fixed robots by using common tools, walking on uneven terrain, and adapting to constant changes, which enhances their utility in heavy industries.
Justin Airhart, operations director at SSE Steel Fabrication, stated that collaboration allows for the exploration of emerging technologies directly on the factory floor. The company emphasizes a focus on safety, productivity, and workforce sustainability while supporting the pilot project.
4D Jobs and Next Steps
Persona AI develops humanoids for what are called 4D jobs, defined as monotonous, dangerous, declining, and dirty. The proposal is a collaborative environment, where robots take on manual tasks and humans transition to higher value-added roles.
The pilot program will train humanoid welders for jobs in manufacturing and shipbuilding. State and regional leaders view the initiative as a first step to expanding humanoid robotics in Louisiana. More information will be released as the project progresses.
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