Will AI-powered robots help assemble next-gen Mercedes?

Now, Apptronik, an Austin-based robotics startup, has announced a partnership with Mercedes-Benz. This collaboration could mean big things and has signaled that the automaker could be integrating advanced robotics into the Mercedes-Benz Manufacturing processes.

The first step of this partnership will involve Apptronik and Mercedes-Benz jointly exploring the possibility of integrating highly advanced robotics into manufacturing operations. This is a strategic partnership that comes at a time when we are seeing a surge in both AI and an increased interest in humanoids. Well, as always we don’t know the specific details of the partnership, but it is surely something.

The deal is important for both parties as with this one gets the desired validation from a leading automotive manufacturer to showcase their technological advancements while the other can portray that it is on top of its game with its commitment to innovation and future-forward manufacturing practices. If the partnership turns out to be successful then it could potentially lead to large-scale deployments of the same in the manufacturing processes.

CEO Jeff Cardenas, in a press release, said, “Mercedes plans to use robotics and Apollo for automating some low skill, physically challenging, manual labour – a model use case which we’ll see other organisations replicate in the months and years to come.”

The term “low skill” here is Cardenas’ way of addressing concerns about potential job displacement that could happen because of humanoid deployment. He mentioned that a delicate balance needs to be cracked between technological advancement and workforce preservation.

Apptronik is a great choice on Mercedes’ part as it is known for its involvement in NASA’s Valkyrie humanoid robot project, and has expertise in developing cutting-edge robotic solutions. We wait to see what fruits this partnership will bear.