Mercedes is testing humanoid robots for 'low-skill, repetitive' duties

Mercedes-Benz is the newest automotive firm to check how humanoid robots might be used to automate “low-skilled, bodily difficult, handbook labor.” On Friday, robotics firm Aptronic introduced that it has entered right into a industrial settlement with Mercedes in order that “extremely superior robotics” akin to Apollo – Aptronic's 160-pound bipedal robotic – can be utilized in manufacturing. This information follows an identical pilot introduced by BMW in January.

Aptronic says Mercedes is exploring use instances akin to having Apollo examine and ship elements to human manufacturing line staff. Neither firm has disclosed any figures for the settlement or what number of Apollo robots are being examined.

In keeping with Apptronic, humanoid robots will enable automakers to start automating manufacturing operations with out redesigning their present services. The corporate says its strategy as a substitute focuses on “automating among the bodily demanding, repetitive and monotonous duties for which it’s turning into more and more tough to seek out dependable staff.”

monetary Instances Mercedes has reportedly begun testing an unknown variety of Apollo robots at a manufacturing facility in Hungary. The nation has been going through a labor scarcity for a number of years as staff migrate to Western Europe, with each Audi and Mercedes expressing considerations concerning labor provide in 2016.

“This can be a new frontier and we need to perceive the potential of each robotics and automotive manufacturing to fill the labor hole in areas akin to low-skilled, repetitive and bodily demanding work and supply our extremely expert workforce members with entry to manufacturing We need to release the road for the world's most fascinating vehicles,” stated Mercedes manufacturing chief Jörg Buerger.

Apollo stands 5 ft eight inches tall, with Apptronic claiming the robotic can carry objects as much as 55 kilos. Its “face” is delightfully goofy, however in any other case its type issue isn't a lot completely different from different humanoid robots in growth, akin to Tesla's Optimus robotic, or the Determine 01 robotic that BMW is testing at its South Carolina manufacturing facility. Different bipedal robots, akin to Agility Robotics' “Digit,” are additionally being operated in Amazon's US warehouses.