FANUC partners with Google to advance Physical AI in industrial robotics, blending proven automation with cutting-edge AI to deliver smarter, more adaptive robots for modern manufacturing environments.
For Immediate Release
Rochester Hills, MI – (May 19, 2026) – FANUC
CORPORATION, the world’s leading supplier of industrial robots and factory
automation, announced a strategic collaboration with Google to advance
Physical AI in its robot systems, leveraging Google’s state-of-the-art
technologies. As part of this initiative, FANUC is advancing its open
platforms and Physical AI capabilities to accelerate automation by applying
the latest development in artificial intelligence across its robotics product
lineup.
Physical AI – the integration of cognitive intelligence with physical action –
has drawn global attention with recent advancements in AI, particularly large
language models (LLMs). This includes robots that perceive their environment
through sensors, make autonomous decisions and execute tasks accordingly. This
represents a leading application of Physical AI in this emerging field.
FANUC robots support ROS, the industry standard open platform for robot
control, through FANUC’s open source ROS drivers. They also offer broad
compatibility with widely used technologies, including the Python programming
language for AI development, high-speed communication interfaces for external
robot control, and interfaces that enable easy operation from PLCs. Google is
a prominent contributor and maintainer of ROS through their Intrinsic robotics
AI group.
These open platform capabilities allow manufacturers to seamlessly deploy
Physical AI robot systems, combining FANUC’s highly reliable lineup from small
robots with 3 kg payload to large robots 2.3-ton payload including the CRX
collaborative series, with the latest Physical AI technologies for actual
factories.
Since the release of FANUC’s Physical AI system at the International Robot
Exhibition in Tokyo last December, customer interest has continued to grow
rapidly. Following the exhibition, FANUC has already shipped more than 1,000
robots for Physical AI related applications, and demand continues to
accelerate.
FANUC America highlighted this announcement with Google as a key step in
advancing Physical AI through more flexible, adaptive automation for
manufacturers across North America.
“Manufacturers are moving beyond the question of whether to use AI and
focusing on how to apply it where it matters most—on the factory floor,said
Mike Cicco, President and CEO of FANUC America. “By combining FANUC’s
industrial-grade robotics with Google’s advanced AI, we’re enabling customers
to take on more complex, variable production while maintaining the reliability
and performance that production environments demand.”
About FANUC America Corporation
FANUC America Corporation is a subsidiary of FANUC CORPORATION in Japan, and
provides industry-leading CNC systems, robotics and ROBOMACHINEs.
FANUC’s innovative technologies and proven expertise help manufacturers
in the Americas maximize productivity, reliability and profitability.
Headquartered in Rochester Hills, Mich., FANUC America has facilities
throughout North and South America. Visit www.fanucamerica.com for more information or explore the CRX line of cobots at CRX.FANUCAmerica.com.
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FANUC America Media Contact:
[email protected]