Robots that learn on the job: AgiBot tests reinforcement learning in real-world manufacturing.
Updated
January 8, 2026 6:34 PM
A humanoid robot works on a factory line, showcasing advanced automation in real-world production. PHOTO: AGIBOT
Shanghai-based robotics firm AgiBot has taken a major step toward bringing artificial intelligence into real manufacturing. The company announced that its Real-World Reinforcement Learning (RW-RL) system has been successfully deployed on a pilot production line run in partnership with Longcheer Technology. It marks one of the first real applications of reinforcement learning in industrial robotics.
The project represents a key shift in factory automation. For years, precision manufacturing has relied on rigid setups: robots that need custom fixtures, intricate programming and long calibration cycles. Even newer systems combining vision and force control often struggle with slow deployment and complex maintenance. AgiBot’s system aims to change that by letting robots learn and adapt on the job, reducing the need for extensive tuning or manual reconfiguration.
The RW-RL setup allows a robot to pick up new tasks within minutes rather than weeks. Once trained, the system can automatically adjust to variations, such as changes in part placement or size tolerance, maintaining steady performance throughout long operations. When production lines switch models or products, only minor hardware tweaks are needed. This flexibility could significantly cut downtime and setup costs in industries where rapid product turnover is common.
The system’s main strengths lie in faster deployment, high adaptability and easier reconfiguration. In practice, robots can be retrained quickly for new tasks without needing new fixtures or tools — a long-standing obstacle in consumer electronics production. The platform also works reliably across different factory layouts, showing potential for broader use in complex or varied manufacturing environments.
Beyond its technical claims, the milestone demonstrates a deeper convergence between algorithmic intelligence and mechanical motion.Instead of being tested only in the lab, AgiBot’s system was tried in real factory settings, showing it can perform reliably outside research conditions.
This progress builds on years of reinforcement learning research, which has gradually pushed AI toward greater stability and real-world usability. AgiBot’s Chief Scientist Dr. Jianlan Luo and his team have been at the forefront of that effort, refining algorithms capable of reliable performance on physical machines. Their work now underpins a production-ready platform that blends adaptive learning with precision motion control — turning what was once a research goal into a working industrial solution.
Looking forward, the two companies plan to extend the approach to other manufacturing areas, including consumer electronics and automotive components. They also aim to develop modular robot systems that can integrate smoothly with existing production setups.
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The collaboration between Oversonic Robotics and STMicroelectronics highlights how robotics is beginning to fill gaps traditional automation cannot.
Updated
January 23, 2026 10:41 AM
3D render of humanoid robots working in a factory assembly line. PHOTO: ADOBE STOCK
Oversonic Robotics, an Italian company known for building cognitive humanoid robots, has signed an agreement with STMicroelectronics, one of the world’s largest semiconductor manufacturers, to deploy humanoid robots inside semiconductor plants.
According to the companies, this is the first time cognitive humanoid robots will be used operationally inside semiconductor manufacturing facilities. And the first deployment has already taken place at ST’s advanced packaging and test plant in Malta.
At the center of the collaboration is RoBee, Oversonic’s humanoid robot. RoBee is designed to carry out support tasks within industrial environments, particularly where flexibility and interaction with human workers are required. In ST’s factories, the robots will assist with complex manufacturing and logistics flows linked to new semiconductor products. They are intended to work alongside existing automation systems, not replace them.
RoBee is notable for its ability to operate in environments shared with people. It is currently the only humanoid robot certified for use in both industrial and healthcare settings and is already in operation within several Italian companies. The robot is also being used in experimental hospital programs. That background helped position RoBee for deployment in tightly controlled manufacturing environments such as semiconductor plants.
Fabio Puglia, President of Oversonic Robotics, described the agreement as a milestone for deploying humanoid robots in complex industrial settings: “The partnership with STMicroelectronics is a great source of pride for us because it embodies the vision of cognitive robotics that Oversonic has brought to the industrial and healthcare markets. Being the first to introduce cognitive humanoid robots in a sophisticated production context such as semiconductors means measuring ourselves against the highest standards in terms of reliability, safety and operational continuity. This agreement represents a fundamental milestone for Oversonic and, more generally, for the industrial challenges these new machines are called to face in innovative and highly complex environments, alongside people and supporting their quality of work”.
From STMicroelectronics’ side, the use of humanoid robots is framed as part of a broader effort to manage growing manufacturing complexity. he company said RoBee will support complex tasks and help manage the intricate production flows required by newer semiconductor products. It is also expected to contribute to improved product quality and shorter manufacturing cycle times. The robots are designed to integrate with existing automation and software systems, helping improve safety and operational continuity.
In semiconductor manufacturing, precision and reliability leave little room for experimentation. Therefore, introducing humanoid robots into this environment signals a practical shift. It shows how robotics is starting to fill gaps that traditional automation has struggled to address.