Mercedes-Benz Invests in Robotics Firm Apptronik, Tests Humanoid Robots in Factories
Mercedes-Benz is testing humanoid robots from U.S.-based robotics company Apptronik to assist with manufacturing tasks such as moving components and conducting quality checks.
The German automaker has invested a low double-digit million-euro sum in Apptronik, a Texas-based company founded in 2016. Apptronik is competing with firms like Tesla and Nvidia-backed Figure AI to scale up production of AI-powered humanoid robots.
A small number of Apptronik’s Apollo robots have been trained for specific tasks in Mercedes-Benz’s production process using teleoperation. This method allows humans to remotely control the robots, enabling them to learn tasks with the goal of eventually performing them autonomously.
Mercedes-Benz is currently testing the robots at its Digital Factory Campus in Marienfelde, Berlin, and in Kecskemet, Hungary. The company plans to expand their use to other sites, production chief Joerg Burzer said during a roundtable discussion with journalists in Berlin on Tuesday.
Burzer stated that the company aims to deploy the robots in areas facing labour shortages, starting with repetitive and hazardous tasks. He also noted that cost would be a key factor in wider adoption.
"The cost will be decisive... when costs reach a two-digit thousand-dollar sum – which is absolutely possible – it will become very interesting," Burzer said, without specifying a timeline or the current cost per robot.
Other car manufacturers, including Honda, Hyundai, and BMW, have explored the use of humanoid robots for repetitive and potentially dangerous tasks. However, none have yet implemented them on a large scale.
Tesla CEO Elon Musk previously suggested that Tesla’s humanoid robot, Optimus, could begin performing factory tasks by the end of last year, but no further updates have been provided.
Mercedes-Benz is testing humanoid robots from Apptronik in its factories.
The company has invested a low double-digit million-euro sum in the Texas-based robotics firm.
Robots are being trialled in Berlin and Hungary, with plans for expansion.
Source: REUTERS