You won’t find them wandering around the factory floor just yet, but Mercedes-Benz has begun using humanoid robots to work alongside its assembly line staff. The German carmaker has been trialing an innovative collaboration between human and robot that aims to improve productivity and safety in its factories.

The robots, developed by German company Universal Robots, are designed to carry out tedious and repetitive tasks, such as fastening parts, which can lead to repetitive strain injuries for humans over time. These robots, however, are different to the traditional factory automatons as they are collaborative, lightweight, and safe around humans.

One of the key features of these robots is their ability to be easily reprogrammed to carry out different tasks. This adaptability means they can quickly switch between jobs and adapt to the changing requirements of car manufacturing.

While the robots are currently being used in the production of the Mercedes-Benz S-Class and EQS models, the carmaker plans to roll them out across its other factories.

The introduction of these robots is a pragmatic move by Mercedes-Benz, balancing the need to increase productivity and reduce costs, while also ensuring the well-being of its human workforce. Furthermore, it paves the way for more efficient and safer working practices in the automotive industry and beyond.

As such, these humanoid helpers are an exciting development in the world of manufacturing and could signal a new era of human-robot collaboration, where both work together to achieve efficient and safe output. It will be interesting to see how this innovative approach spreads and the further applications these robots may inspire.