Listen to this text  |
Apollo shifting a tote on the Mercedes manufacturing unit. | Credit: Apptronik
Apptronik right this moment introduced that main automotive model Mercedes-Benz is testing its Apollo humanoid robotic. As a part of the settlement, Apptronik and Mercedes-Benz will collaborate on figuring out functions for Apollo in automotive settings.
Mercedes-Benz is exploring how nicely Apollo can deliver components to the manufacturing line for staff to assemble, whereas concurrently inspecting the elements. Apollo may also be examined at delivering totes of kitted components later within the manufacturing course of.
“When we got down to construct Apollo, an settlement just like the one we’re asserting right this moment with Mercedes-Benz was a dream situation,” Jeff Cardenas, co-founder & CEO of Apptronik, stated in a press assertion. “Mercedes plans to make use of robotics and Apollo for automating some low-skill, bodily difficult, handbook labor – a mannequin use case which we’ll see different organizations replicate within the months and years to return.”
The Robot Report reached out to each Apptronik and Mercedes to study extra, however hadn’t heard again at press time. At the second, it’s unclear what number of Apollos are being examined, if a number of automotive crops are concerned, and what the extent of this partnership is. The photographs Apptronik shared present Apollo in a plant in Hungary.
Humanoid race heats up
Apptronik unveiled Apollo in August 2023 and is likely one of the early innovators within the humanoid race, becoming a member of the likes of Agility Robotics’ Digit and Tesla Optimus. Since August, further producers have thrown their collective hats within the humanoid ring, together with 1X, Figure AI, Sanctuary AI, Unitree, LimX and Fourier Intelligence.
The robotics market is at a singular cut-off date the place the entire enabling applied sciences that make a humanoid viable are coming collectively. This contains the massive leaps in AI maturity and mannequin coaching over the past two years, the ability of edge compute, battery capability, and the maturation of legged movement algorithms.
But there are at the very least two large looming questions: “What can humanoids reliably do?” and “Does it make sense for robots to be on legs versus wheels?” A key milestone for these humanoid producers is to cross these early assessments and safe reference prospects that validate the robotic’s performance and assist information the product roadmap.
Automotive manufacturing is the main adopter of robotics worldwide. Automotive producers are underneath stress to enhance high quality, and cut back prices, all whereas struggling to take care of labor points. It makes good sense that the automotive market would discover how humanoids might assist. Optimus can be examined at inner Tesla manufacturing crops, Figure has an settlement with BMW, and Agility Robotics has landed pilots with Amazon and GXO Logistics.
Why humanoids? Why now?
Back to the query of “Why humanoids?” Apptronik stated the addition of humanoids to factories and crops would enable organizations like Mercedes-Benz to deploy robotics which can be optimized to carry out in areas which can be designed for people, thus avoiding full-scale facility redesigns which can be constructed round robots relatively than individuals. In brief, this strategy facilities on automating some bodily demanding, repetitive, and uninteresting duties for which it’s more and more laborious to search out dependable staff.
Apollo, which has a kind issue that roughly matches the dimensions of a human employee (5 ft 8 inches tall and 160 lb with the power to elevate 55 lb), is constructed to function in industrial areas. Combined with a singular power management structure that maintains protected operation round individuals (just like a collaborative robotic versus a standard industrial robotic), Apollo’s design permits it to work alongside individuals whereas concurrently taking up bodily demanding duties, Apptronik stated.
Apollo can safely work aspect by aspect and collaboratively with people on the manufacturing line. | Credit: Apptronik
“To construct probably the most fascinating vehicles, we regularly evolve the way forward for automotive manufacturing. Advancements in robotics and AI open up new alternatives for us. We are exploring new prospects with the usage of robotics to assist our expert workforce in manufacturing,” stated Jörg Burzer, member of the board of administration of Mercedes-Benz Group AG, manufacturing, high quality & provide chain administration. “This is a brand new frontier, and we wish to perceive the potential each for robotics and automotive manufacturing to fill labor gaps in areas akin to low ability, repetitive and bodily demanding work and to unencumber our extremely expert group members on the road to construct the world’s most fascinating vehicles.”
Jonathan Hurst, co-founder and chief robotic officer of Agility Robotics, will keynote the Robotics Summit & Expo, which runs May 1-2 in Boston. The occasion expects greater than 5,000 attendees and is designed to assist robotics engineers overcome the technical challenges of constructing industrial robots. The Robotics Summit & Expo is produced by The Robot Report and guardian firm WTWH Media.
Hurst’s keynote on May 1 from 9:00 to 9:45 a.m. ET is titled “Humanoid Robots Get to Work.” It will discover the technological breakthroughs propelling humanoids like Digit into real-world use instances. Attendees will study concerning the ongoing challenges and alternatives and can go inside Digit’s first pilots.
