The State of Louisiana has signed a memorandum of understanding with Persona AI to launch a humanoid robotics pilot program inside an active heavy-industry facility, marking what officials describe as a rare instance of a US state formally supporting humanoid robot development in a live industrial setting.
The pilot will be conducted at SSE Steel Fabrication’s large-scale steel fabrication facility in St Bernard Parish and will focus on collecting real-world data on human movement and task execution in a working manufacturing environment.
According to the announcement, the initiative is intended to support the development of humanoid robots capable of operating in environments “originally built for humans rather than redesigned for traditional automation”, including the use of existing tools, navigation across uneven terrain, and adaptation to changing shop-floor conditions.
The agreement was facilitated by Louisiana Innovation, a division of Louisiana Economic Development, with support from Greater New Orleans.
State officials say the pilot positions Louisiana as a testbed for embodied AI systems in advanced manufacturing and industrial workforce applications.
“This is exactly the kind of applied innovation Louisiana should be leaning into,” said Josh Fleig, chief innovation officer at Louisiana Economic Development.
“Partnerships like these will allow our small businesses to adopt new tools, modernize the way they operate and compete at a higher level.
“As companies innovate, they’re not just growing their bottom line; they’re creating pathways to higher-skill, higher-paying careers that strengthen their workforce and expand opportunity across Louisiana.”
SSE Steel’s fabrication plant will serve as the proving ground for Persona AI’s humanoid platforms, which are being designed for deployment in heavy industry sectors facing persistent labor shortages and operational complexity.
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