Hexagon Robotics collaborates with Microsoft to advance the field of humanoid robots

Rhea-AI Summary

Hexagon Robotics (NYSE:B) announced a strategic partnership with Microsoft on January 7, 2026 to advance production-ready humanoid robots for manipulation and inspection use cases.

The collaboration will combine Hexagon's sensor fusion, robotics, and spatial intelligence with Microsoft's cloud and AI platforms including Azure, Microsoft Fabric Real-Time Intelligence, Azure IoT Operations, and Azure App Service. Initial industry targets are automotive, aerospace, manufacturing, and logistics.

Planned focus areas include:

• scaling physical AI frameworks (imitation learning, reinforcement learning, multimodal vision-language-action)
• data management and one-shot imitation learning
• joint customer deployments to move automation from concept to factory floor

LAS VEGAS, Jan. 7, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- Hexagon Robotics is pleased to announce a strategic partnership with Microsoft aimed at advancing humanoid robots with a focus on:

• Redefining data-driven, adaptive manufacturing through deep technology collaboration
• Scaling of physical AI frameworks across imitation learning, reinforcement learning, and multimodal vision-language-action models
• Jointly engage customers to deploy AI-driven robotics powered by Microsoft Azure and bring automation from concept to factory floor

Combining Hexagon Robotics' expertise in sensor fusion, robotics, and spatial intelligence and Microsoft's strengths in cloud computing and scalable platforms, including Fabric Real-Time Intelligence in Microsoft Fabric, Azure IoT Operations, and Azure App Service, the two companies will work together to provide production-ready humanoid solutions for manipulation and inspection use cases, first targeting automotive, aerospace, manufacturing and logistic industries.

"The strategic partnership with Microsoft is a big step towards realising our vision to build an autonomous future and address labour shortage across vital industries," said Arnaud Robert, President, Hexagon Robotics. "We are excited to collaborate with Microsoft to advance our Physical AI roadmap and deploy high-performing and adaptable humanoid solutions for our customers".

Humanoid robots are expected to reshape many industries by enabling new levels of autonomy and efficiency while keeping humans in the loop. The partnership will tackle several existing deployment challenges, such as data management, one-shot imitation learning, and training for multimodal AI models. Through this collaboration, Hexagon's industrial humanoid robot, AEON, has already demonstrated real-time defect detection and operational intelligence.

"This partnership with Hexagon Robotics marks a pivotal moment in bridging the gap between cutting-edge humanoid robot innovation and real-world industrial impact. By combining AEON's sensor fusion and spatial intelligence with Microsoft Azure's scalable AI and cloud infrastructure, we're empowering customers to deploy adaptive, AI-powered humanoid robots that advance autonomous manufacturing from the factory floor to the global supply chain," said Aaron Schnieder, VP of Engineering and Emerging Technologies at Microsoft.

Together, Hexagon Robotics and Microsoft are committed to addressing workforce challenges and enhancing operational efficiency across a breadth of industries with intelligent, scalable, and autonomous solutions.

About Hexagon:

Hexagon is the global leader in measurement technologies. We provide the confidence that vital industries rely on to build, navigate, and innovate. From microns to Mars, our solutions ensure productivity, quality, safety, and sustainability in everything from manufacturing and construction to mining and autonomous systems.

Hexagon (Nasdaq Stockholm: HEXA B) has approximately 24,800 employees in 50 countries and net sales of approximately 5.4bn EUR.

Learn more at hexagon.com.

View original content:https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/hexagon-robotics-collaborates-with-microsoft-to-advance-the-field-of-humanoid-robots-302655012.html

SOURCE Hexagon

FAQ

What did Hexagon Robotics announce with Microsoft on January 7, 2026 regarding humanoid robots (B)?

Hexagon announced a strategic partnership with Microsoft to develop production-ready humanoid robots for manipulation and inspection, targeting automotive, aerospace, manufacturing, and logistics.

How will Hexagon Robotics (B) use Microsoft Azure in the partnership?

Hexagon will leverage Microsoft Azure, Fabric Real-Time Intelligence, Azure IoT Operations, and Azure App Service to scale AI, cloud infrastructure, and production deployments.

Which Hexagon product has demonstrated capabilities under the Microsoft collaboration (B)?

Hexagon's industrial humanoid robot AEON has demonstrated real-time defect detection and operational intelligence as part of the collaboration.

What technical areas will Hexagon Robotics and Microsoft focus on for humanoid robots (B)?

They will focus on sensor fusion, spatial intelligence, physical AI frameworks including imitation learning, reinforcement learning, and multimodal vision-language-action models.

Which industries will Hexagon Robotics (B) and Microsoft initially target with humanoid solutions?

The partnership will first target automotive, aerospace, manufacturing, and logistics industries.

What operational challenges does the Hexagon and Microsoft partnership aim to address for company B?

The collaboration aims to address deployment challenges such as data management, one-shot imitation learning, and training multimodal AI models to speed factory-floor automation.