St. Bernard Parish in the New Orleans metro area will play a key role in a new state-backed humanoid-robotics pilot. The program, initiated through a Memorandum of Understanding between the State of Louisiana and Persona AI, marks an innovative step in industrial operations at SSE Steel Fabrication’s facility.
The pilot, reported in Biz New Orleans on February 17, 2026, involves the deployment of humanoid robots to gather real-world data on human movement and tasks. The initiative aims to validate Persona AI’s rugged humanoid platforms within a functioning steel fabrication environment.
Persona AI, a Houston-based robotics firm, is working alongside Louisiana Innovation, Greater New Orleans, Inc., and SSE Steel Fabrication. The St. Bernard Economic Development Foundation is also a partner in this project. Together, these entities are expected to influence site-selection priorities and workforce skills demands in heavy-industrial real estate.
While specific information on the number of robots or investment value has not been disclosed, the project at SSE Steel’s large-scale facility is regarded as significant for economic and industrial development. The data collected will support broader deployments, although no fixed timeline has been provided.
For local real estate and development professionals, this pilot introduces potential changes in lease requirements and shop floor configurations. It’s expected to create new roles, such as robot technicians and data specialists, impacting local labor market dynamics. As Louisiana facilitates this pilot, St. Bernard Parish may emerge as a hub for advanced manufacturing investments, drawing attention from site selectors and industrial landlords.
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