A robot colleague is set to inspect the power grid
Eon, EnviaM, and Neura Robotics are jointly developing AI-powered robotic applications for use in energy infrastructure and plan to conduct initial field tests in the distribution grid starting in 2027.
November 6, 2026
Source: E & M powernews
E.ON and EnviaM plan to develop robots for inspections and plant monitoring in collaboration with Neura Robotics. The first field tests on the power grid are scheduled for 2027.
In the future, humanoid robots are expected to assist skilled workers in monitoring and maintaining power grids. To this end, the energy company Eon, the East German EnviaM Group, and the robot manufacturer Neura Robotics have formed a partnership. Together, they aim to develop and test applications for critical energy infrastructure. The partners expect to gain their first practical experience in grid operations in the course of 2027.
The focus is on inspections, the monitoring of technical facilities such as substations, and the securing of operational equipment. In addition, the companies are examining whether robots can take over physically demanding, repetitive, or potentially dangerous tasks. The technology is thus intended to reduce the workload on employees and increase safety in grid operations.
“Our employees perform demanding and responsible work every day. Humanoid robots can specifically alleviate their workload, particularly for physically demanding tasks or those with special safety requirements,” said Stephan Lowis, CEO of the EnviaM Group. This would allow skilled workers to focus more on tasks that require their expertise.
Training at the Robo-Gym
Initially, the partners are developing and training suitable capabilities under controlled conditions at NEURA’s TUM RoboGym on the LabCampus at Munich Airport. Neura Robotics operates the training center in collaboration with the Technical University of Munich (TUM). Spanning more than 2,300 square meters, it combines research, robot training, and industrial applications. Eon and EnviaM are joining the center as partners.
Specialists from E.ON and EnviaM’s grid subsidiary Mitnetz Strom will demonstrate their work processes there and provide input on requirements from grid operations. The training combines human demonstrations, data from real-world robot deployments, and simulations. Sensor-equipped data suits, motion-capture systems, and teleoperation capture the movements and actions of the employees. Virtual training environments are designed to simulate additional scenarios.
The robots learn using Neuron AI, an AI model from Neura Robotics, which is designed to process not only visual information but also sounds, touch, and the robot’s own motion state. This would allow them to not only evaluate visual information during inspections but also take into account, for example, acoustic anomalies or contact information.
Field Tests at Mitnetz Strom
After training, the developed capabilities will be tested on real robots. Mitnetz Strom will then trial selected applications in actual grid operations. The company, headquartered in Kabelsketal near Halle, operates one of the largest regional distribution grids in eastern Germany.
Potential devices for use include humanoid robots such as the 4NE1 model from Neura Robotics. They are designed to navigate environments originally created for humans, including stairs, doors, and switchgear cabinets. According to the partners, no modifications to the facilities would be necessary for this.
“The energy transition needs strong grids, and strong grids need innovation,” said Stefan Padberg, Senior Vice President of Innovation at E.ON. The collaboration aims to demonstrate how digital technologies can enhance safety, streamline processes, and make the energy infrastructure more resilient.
Platform Aims to Make Capabilities Transferable
The trained applications are to be managed and deployed via Neuraverse, a physical AI platform from Neura Robotics. It connects robots, AI models, developers, and industry partners. The goal is to eventually transfer capabilities, once developed, to other suitable robots and deployment sites.
According to the companies, E.ON and EnviaM retain control over their data and the trained capabilities. They decide for themselves whether and with which partners they share them.
Neura Robotics founder and CEO David Reger sees the collaboration as a way to harness employees’ experiential knowledge for intelligent machines. “Our shared goal goes beyond a single robot deployment: We want to create a scalable foundation for Physical AI in critical infrastructure, developed and trained in Europe,” he said.
Further information on Neura’s TUM RoboGym is available online.
Author: Susanne Harmsen
