- Mercedes-Benz is testing humanoid robots from US firm Apptronik at its Berlin factory.
- Apollo robots manage logistics, quality checks, and assist with repetitive tasks on the line.
- Company employees helped train the robots using teleoperation and augmented reality.
For decades, car factories have relied on massive industrial robots to help build vehicles. Now, some of these plants are stepping it up with cutting-edge humanoid robots. Mercedes-Benz is the latest automaker to jump on the bandwagon, kicking off a trial of these robots at one of its German sites.
While there’s always the concern that robots might start stealing jobs, the good news for Mercedes employees is that their positions seem safe—at least for the time being.
The robots in question come from Apptronik, a US company founded in 2016 at the University of Texas’ Human Centered Robotics Lab. Mercedes-Benz has invested tens of millions into the company and is now using its Apollo robots at the Berlin-Marienfelde factory, putting them to work right away.
Read: BMW Travels To The Future By Trialing Humanoid Robots At US Plant
Apollo robots are initially being used for internal logistics and have a focus on repetitive tasks. For example, they can move components or modules to the production line, where skilled technicians assemble and install them into vehicles. They can also be used to carry out initial quality checks of parts. It’s not exactly the stuff of sci-fi movies, but it’s a glimpse of what the future of factory work might look like.
Humans and Robots, Working Together
What’s interesting here is that Mercedes’ employees aren’t just standing around watching the robots do all the work, as they’ve been involved in training the Apollo robots through teleoperation and augmented reality. This process has allowed the robots to learn to work autonomously, reducing the need for constant supervision. And here’s a nice touch: if the Apollo robots run low on power, they can just plug themselves in and recharge. Sounds a bit too convenient, doesn’t it?
The Mercedes-Benz Digital Factory Campus is also using advanced artificial intelligence. The site now has a Digital Factory Chatbot Ecosystem that allows employees to access production databases and can even ask questions about best-practice manufacturing methods and machine maintenance.
More Automakers Follow Suit
Mercedes-Benz isn’t the only car manufacturer testing the waters with this kind of tech. Tesla is continuing development on its own humanoid robot, while BMW started using advanced robots at its South Carolina plant last year.
And in 2024, Chinese brand Dongfeng Motors introduced an AI-powered robot to its factory. Much like the Apollo, Dongfeng’s robot is helping with inspections and logistics, proving that the future of manufacturing is undoubtedly becoming more robotic by the day.
