NEWS n www.drivesncontrols.com April 2025 11 MERCEDES-BENZ IS TRIALLING the use of humanoid robots in manufacturing roles, with an initial focus on repetitive intralogistics tasks. It is conducting the trials at a cutting-edge facility in Berlin where it also testing advanced digital technologies, and is gearing up to produce axial-ux electric motors. Initially, Mercedes is using Apollo robots from the US humanoid developer Apptronik to transport components and modules to assembly sta on production lines. The robots can also carry out initial quality checks on the components, as well as collecting data in a production environment to train for specic tasks. Mercedes-Benz employees with production know-how have been transferring their knowledge to the humanoids using teleoperation and augmented reality processes. Mercedes is allowing the humanoids to perform autonomous operations, which it describes “a technological milestone on the way to a exible, intelligent assistance system for production”. To emphasise its commitment to deploying humanoid robots in production, Mercedes-Benz is making a “low double-digit-million” euro investment in Apptronik, which has just raised a further $53m in Series A funding, taking the total that it has raised in the oversubscribed round to $403m (see below). The German car-maker is testing the humanoid robots at the Mercedes-Benz Digital Factory Campus (MBDFC) – its global centre for production and digitalisation innovation, which is located in Berlin-Marienfelde. Mercedes-Benz is also establishing the site as a centre of excellence for the production of high-performance axial-ux motors, based on the technology that it acquired when it bought the UK-based axial motor developer, Yasa, in 2021. Manufacturing of these motors due to start next year. Producing an axial-ux motor will involve around 100 processes, around 65 of which are new to Mercedes-Benz, with 35 thought to be new to the world. For example, Mercedes is combining new ways of using laser technologies with bonding processes and AI. These new production techniques have resulted in more than 30 patent lings. At the MBDFC, Mercedes is combining the development and testing of new processes and technologies, with implementing its MO360 (Mercedes-Benz Cars Operations 360) digital ecosystem for automotive production. It is testing new production processes and software applications before they are implemented on production lines in its assembly plants. For example, Mercedes has added AI functions to MO360 such as a chatbot that allows employees to ask questions about machine maintenance or best-practice methods for manufacturing processes. The AI provides precise answers in a choice of languages. Another practical use of AI is Mercedes’“virtual multi-agent system” in which AI-supported virtual assistants analyse complex data in real time, and use it, for example, to identify the causes of any deviations in production line quality. Instead of laborious, manual root-cause analysis, the AI agents analyse data, identify patterns and anomalies, and suggest solutions at the touch of a button. “Mercedes-Benz Berlin-Marienfelde remains at the cutting edge of automotive production and keeps Germany on the map as a global centre for innovation,” says Jörg Burzer, Mercedes’ board member responsible for production, quality, and supply chain management. “AI and humanoid robots open up an exciting new frontier which make automotive production more sustainable, e¤cient and more intelligent.” Mercedes puts humanoids and AI to work in its Berlin digital centre APPTRONIK, THE US DEVELOPER of humanoid robots that recently received a $403m cash injection, has announced a collaboration with the contract manufacturer Jabil, under which Jabil will build Apollo humanoids and integrate them into its own manufacturing operations. This could pave the way for production lines where the robots build themselves. As part of a pilot programme, Jabil will test and validate the humanoids in the real-world environment of its factories. The robots will perform simple, repetitive intralogistics and manufacturing tasks, such as inspection, sorting, kitting, lineside delivery, xture placement, and sub-assembly, before being deployed to end-users. The humanoids will support Jabil’s existing workforce. Apptronik’s robots incorporate “unique” low-cost actuators that are said to ease maintenance. With a simplied bill of materials and ability to mass-produce robots at scale with Jabil, Apptronik is aiming to make its general-purpose humanoids more a ordable, thus opening up new markets. “Humanoid robots have the potential to revolutionise the way we live and work, but for that to become a reality, we need to be able to build them rapidly at scale, at the right price point, and in geographies where our customers are located,” says Apptronik’s cofounder and CEO, Je Cardenas. “Our partnership with Jabil, along with our unique design for manufacturability and ability to have Apollo humanoid robots handling material movement and assembly tasks in the factory, are critical components needed to create a ywheel e ect that could make humanoid robots ubiquitous.” https://apptronik.com Deal means that Apptronik’s humanoid robots could build themselves Mercedes is using the Apollo humanoid robots to carry components to its production lines Image: Mercedes-Benz Group
RkJQdWJsaXNoZXIy MjQ0NzM=