Mercedes-Benz Rolls Out Apollo Humanoid Robots, AI Chatbots at Berlin Plant

Mercedes-Benz is transforming its oldest manufacturing plant, Berlin-Marienfelde, using AI and robots. After opening its Digital Factory Campus at the plant in 2022 to boost research and development of a digital production ecosystem, the company is now letting its Apollo humanoid robots work autonomously. Developed by Texas-based robotics company Apptronik, they are now being used for repetitive manual tasks such as moving components around a factory floor. They will also be used to perform initial quality-control tests on components. The company is quick to point out that the robots will only be augmenting its highly trained human staff, calling the programme a “flexible, intelligent assistance system”. 

The company has spent some time training these robots for specific tasks, by having experienced human operators control them. Augmented reality was also leveraged during the training process. Mercedes-Benz will be investing in Apptronik, and while the exact amount has not been disclosed, the company says it will be in the tens of millions of Euros. Apptronik recently signed a strategic partnership with Google to leverage its DeepMind robotics and AI technology.

AI-powered smart assistants in multiple languages are also being rolled out to help with everyday tasks at the manufacturing facility. Employees can use an internal chatbot to access resources such as databases, manuals and procedure guides. Real-time data analysis is also being performed using AI, replacing lengthy and laborious human analysis processes. The company says these tools, developed by an internal data science team, have already reliably identified “patterns and anomalies” helping improve efficiency and solve issues in production.

“AI takes over the tasks we usually enjoy less, giving us time to focus on real innovation, creativity and value-adding activities. I’m convinced that it makes a significant contribution to business success when applied strategically and executed pragmatically. So, let’s embrace it as key part of our solution moving forward”, Katrin Lehmann, Chief Information Officer of Mercedes-Benz Group AG and Mercedes-Benz AG said in a press statement.

The company says its efforts are already demonstrating significant value. Production processes and some capabilities of the newly announced Mercedes-Benz CLA, which is the company’s first model to run the new Mercedes-Benz Operating System (MB.OS) software, were tested using these tools in preparation for factory production. 

As the company continues to evolve towards becoming an all-electric carmaker, it will begin manufacturing axial flux electric motors next year. Developing such technology, which radically alters the geometry of engine design, required developing dozens of all-new processes and techniques, which it says leveraged AI.