Mercedes-Benz will take a leaf out of Tesla’s ebook and discover the potential use of humanoid robots on the manufacturing facility flooring.

However fairly than develop its personal robots, à la Tesla’s Optimus (nee Tesla Bot), Mercedes will associate with U.S. robotic expertise startup Apptronik. BMW in January signed an identical settlement with rival robotic expertise startup Determine to discover the usage of Determine’s 01 robotic at BMW’s sprawling plant in Spartanburg, South Carolina.

Apptronik, primarily based in Austin, Texas, is creating a robotic generally known as Apollo, which is designed to deal with repetitive duties that do not require a lot ability. In accordance with Jörg Burzer, Mercedes’ head of manufacturing, there’s a labor hole in areas corresponding to low ability, repetitive, and bodily demanding work.

Apptronik and Mercedes are nonetheless working to determine particular purposes for the Apollo, however potentialities talked about in final week’s announcement embrace robots bringing components from storage to human line employees. The components are sometimes transported in containers generally known as totes, and the robots might concurrently examine the elements within the totes as they’re being transported.

As a result of the robots are designed to work in the identical areas designed for people, costly redesigns of manufacturing facility flooring aren’t required for corporations seeking to introduce some automation. The Apollo robots stand roughly 5 toes, eight inches tall and weigh 160 kilos. They’ll raise as much as 55 kilos, in response to Apptronik. In addition they function synthetic intelligence that permits them to be skilled for particular duties.

A timeline for the deployment of Apollo robots in Mercedes’ crops hasn’t been revealed.

Tesla additionally hasn’t mentioned when it plans to deploy its personal Optimus robotic, although the corporate late final yr confirmed a second-generation prototype it claimed was quicker and extra succesful than the unique design unveiled in 2021.

Honda was a pioneer amongst automakers within the area of humanoid robots with its ASIMO sequence of robots, the primary of which was unveiled in 2000. Extra just lately Hyundai Motor Group has been investing closely within the area, together with buying robotics firm Boston Dynamics.