FANUC Accelerates Physical AI in Arc Welding with the New "AI Welding Agent"
AI Agent Reads Drawings and Performs Arc Welding Automatically

September 11, 2026
FANUC CORPORATION

 

FANUC is actively advancing open-platform technologies and Physical AI solutions to accelerate automation by applying the latest advancements in artificial intelligence to robotics, including arc welding applications. As part of this initiative, we are pleased to announce the development of the AI Welding Agent, a new system that leverages Google Cloud's latest technologies to read component drawings and automatically generate and execute robotic arc welding programs.

The AI Welding Agent will be demonstrated at the International Welding Show, held at Tokyo Big Sight beginning September 16, and shipments from FANUC are scheduled to start by the end of December this year.

FANUC and Google Collaborate on the AI Welding Agent

• Recent advances in AI, particularly Large Language Models (LLMs), have accelerated the emergence of Physical AI, which combines intelligence with real-world physical actions. Robots equipped with sensors can perceive their surroundings, make decisions autonomously, and act according to environmental conditions.
• Since unveiling our Physical AI system and open-platform initiatives at the International Robot Exhibition (iREX) last December, FANUC has received significant interest from customers seeking Physical AI solutions.
• In collaboration with Google, FANUC has developed the AI Welding Agent, a Physical AI system for industrial robots, utilizing Gemini Enterprise, Google's enterprise-grade generative AI platform with robust security features. The AI Welding Agent interprets component drawings, automatically sets up welding parameters, and enables robotic welding with zero setup and zero teaching.

Key Features of the AI Welding Agent

Simply Show the Drawing. AI Performs Real Welding with Zero Setup and Zero Teaching.

• Using the latest generative AI technologies, the AI Welding Agent reads an engineering drawing for an arc-welding part, understands the materials and a final shape of the part, and automatically generates:
  1. Welding parameters such as current and voltage
  2. Robot motion programs
  This enables zero-setup, zero-teaching welding system powered by AI.
• Operators can either execute the welding parameters and robot motions generated by the AI Welding Agent as-is, or fine-tune them before welding.

Advanced Security Protects User Information

• One of the core strengths of Gemini Enterprise is its enterprise-level security architecture designed for business applications.
• Engineering drawings and other production data processed by the AI Welding Agent are protected by Gemini Enterprise security measures and are not used for training other users' AI models. This provides manufacturers with a secure and reliable AI solution suitable for industrial environments.

Easy Deployment Without Additional Devices

• The AI Welding Agent uses the built-in camera of the CRX tablet teach pendant (TP) to capture engineering drawings. No additional cameras or dedicated devices are required at the production site.
• Customers using FANUC CRX robots and the AI Welding Agent do not necessarily need to establish separate enterprise agreements with Google Cloud. The service can be subscribed to quickly and easily through existing FANUC contractual arrangements, enabling smooth deployment in arc welding applications.
• The AI Welding Agent is also independent of any specific welding power sources. It can be used with any welding power supply connected to a FANUC robot.

Addressing the Global Shortage of Skilled Welders

Arc welding plays a vital role in manufacturing industries worldwide, including automotive and truck components, construction materials, and shipbuilding. At the same time, the shortage of skilled welders capable of optimizing welding parameters and teaching robot motions continues around the world, contributing to longer production lead times of industrial materials.

Developed through the collaboration between FANUC and Google, the AI Welding Agent addresses this challenge by leveraging the latest AI technologies to supplement the expertise of skilled welding professionals. Shipments of AI Welding Agent are scheduled to begin at the end of December 2026.

Visitors are invited to experience FANUC's latest Physical AI technologies and a live demonstration of the AI Welding Agent at the International Welding Show beginning September 16.