Mercedes is trialing humanoid robots for ‘low skill, repetitive’ tasks

boem@lemmy.world to Technology@lemmy.world – 234 points –
Mercedes is trialing humanoid robots for ‘low skill, repetitive’ tasks
theverge.com
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Minimal investment. A purpose-built robotic production line is incredibly expensive and can onl- do what it was designed for. Theoretically, using these robots requires no alterations to the existing facilities, allowing mercedes to trial them with very low risk and comparably low losses if things don't work out.

Most of the production line is already roboticised. Less with Mercedes than say VW because Mercedes sells more leather seats and walnut interiors but by and large it's mostly robots.

Apptronik says that Mercedes is exploring use cases like having Apollo inspect and deliver components to human production line workers.

...I fail to see how that isn't better solved with logistics robots on rails or wheels. I suspect it's Apptronik coming to Mercedes and saying "hey wanna try this we pay" and Mercedes says "why not" and Apptronik goes "wee, cheap publicity".

wouldnt it make more sense to do a trial that tests their supposed advantages over purpose built robots rather than one which decidedly does not