Profile
Background
Laurent Duthoit has worked at Renault Group for many years. From 2018 to 2026, he headed the innovation and standards department, then coordinated the group’s industrial systems (OT) cybersecurity program. Since 2026, he has been an expert in Next Gen robotics and physical AI.
He is one of the architects of the partnership between Renault and Wandercraft, the French company that designs the humanoid robot Calvin. Tested at the Douai plant, including for handling tires, Calvin is at the heart of a rollout plan across the group’s French and Spanish plants.
He speaks about the practical challenges of bringing humanoid robots into factories: hiring difficulties, industrial sovereignty, training robots for industrial operations and the role of human skills. He is also deputy mayor for digital affairs in Meudon.
Perspective
Digital and GenAI credentials
Laurent Duthoit leads Renault Group’s work on Next Gen robotics and physical AI. He has had an inside view of a humanoid robot being put to the test on a real production line with Wandercraft, and can explain what these robots can do today, what remains to be solved and what it changes for a manufacturer. A first-hand account for decision-makers wondering whether humanoid robotics is already relevant to them.
