JAKARTA Mercedes-Benz is getting more and more serious in adopting robotic technology in its production lines. This German automaker invested tens of millions of euros in the US robotics company, Apptronik. This is done, in an effort to test the use of humanoid robots to help the manufacturing process.
Currently, several "Apollo" robotic units from Apptronik have been deployed at Mercedes-Benz factories in Berlin, Germany, and Kecskemét, Hungary. The robot performs tasks such as moving components to production lines and conducting quality checks.
Mercedes-Benz, which competes with tech giants like Tesla and robotics-based AI company Figue AI, is currently testing artificial intelligence (AI)-based humanoid robots. All of this is done to accelerate and increase production efficiency.
Apptronic's Apollo robot is currently still in the training stage using the 'teleoperation' method, where robots are remotely controlled by humans. This robot will learn from the tasks carried out, with the ultimate goal of being able to repeat it independently without the help of the operator.
In a round table discussion with reporters in Berlin, the Head of Production for Mercedes-Benz Joerg Burzer stated that his company plans to expand the use of this robot to other production sites if the trial runs successfully.
"I want to see these robots being used in areas that are experiencing labor shortages, but of course, first of all for repeated tasks, then for dangerous tasks," said Burzer.
Production Costs Become Determining Factors
Although Mercedes-Benz is optimistic about the future of humanoid robots in the automotive industry, production cost factors remain a major consideration.
Burzer added that if the cost per unit of the robot could reach around tens of thousands of dollars, then this technology would become increasingly attractive to the industry.
"Biaya akan menjadi faktor yang menentukan... Ketika biayanya bisa mencapai angka dua digit ribu dolar yang sangat memungkinkan maka ini akan menjadi sangat menarik," katanya, meskipun ia tidak menyebutkan angka pasti atau estimasi biaya robot saat ini.
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Apart from Mercedes-Benz, several other major automakers such as Honda, Hyundai, and BMW have already been experimenting with the use of humanoid robots in their production lines.
However, until now there has been no automotive manufacturer to implement large-scale humanoid robots in their factories.
Meanwhile, Tesla CEO Elon Musk last year stated that his company-made Optimistic robot could start working at the Tesla plant before the end of 2024. However, until now, there has been no further update from Tesla regarding the progress of the project.
With the advancement of artificial intelligence and robotics technology, the use of humanoid robots in the automotive industry could become a new trend in the future, especially in handling repeated and high-risk tasks in the factory environment.
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