Mercedes Trials Humanoid Robots in Factory Operations

The automaker Mercedes has begun exploring the capabilities of Apptronik’s Apollo robots to perform routine tasks on production lines. The partners shared this information with TechCrunch.

The companies are jointly testing various uses for the androids, including having the Apollo robot check and deliver parts for employees.

According to the manufacturer, Apollo stands 172 cm tall and can lift items weighing up to 25 kg, with its battery lasting for four hours of operation.

Apollo’s computing power allows third-party companies developing artificial intelligence to add new functionalities.

Apptronik representatives stated that the androids enable enterprises to automate production tasks without reconfiguring existing facilities.

The company claims its approach is “aimed at delegating some physically demanding, repetitive, and routine tasks to machines, for which it is increasingly difficult to find reliable workers.”

“This is a new frontier. We want to understand the technology’s potential for the automotive industry. It will help address the shortage of labor for demanding tasks and relieve our highly skilled employees,” said Mercedes production manager Jörg Burzer.

Neither company disclosed the deal’s value or the number of Apollo robots being tested. TechCrunch speculates that the number of mechanical assistants is small, given the pilot stage of testing.

In February, the android manufacturer Figure secured $675 million from Jeff Bezos, Microsoft, Nvidia, Amazon, Intel, LG, Samsung, and OpenAI.