The Future Is Here: Humanoid Robots Join the Workforce at Mercedes-Benz
For decades, car factories have leaned on massive industrial robots to piece together vehicles. Now, some are taking it a step further by welcoming cutting-edge humanoid robots into the fold. Mercedes-Benz has begun deploying these advanced helpers at one of its German plants.
The robots in question hail from Apptronik, an American outfit born in 2016 at the University of Texas Robotics Lab. With Mercedes-Benz pouring tens of millions into the company, the Apollo robots are now hard at work at the Berlin-Marienfelde factory.
Initially, the Apollo robots tackle internal logistics, zeroing in on repetitive chores. They shuttle components or modules to the production line, where skilled workers assemble and fit them into vehicles. They’re also handy for running early quality checks on parts.
What’s striking is that Mercedes staff aren’t just onlookers. They’ve been hands-on, training the Apollo robots using teleoperation and augmented reality. This collaboration has taught the robots to operate solo, cutting down on constant oversight. And here’s a neat touch: when their batteries run low, the Apollo robots simply stroll over to a charging spot and power up.
The Mercedes-Benz Digital Factory Campus is also tapping into top-tier artificial intelligence. A new Digital Factory Chatbot ecosystem lets workers tap into production databases and even ask about cutting-edge manufacturing techniques or machine upkeep—all at their fingertips.
