Mercedes-Benz has officially kicked off rolling out humanoid robots at its Berlin facility, marking a huge step towards the luxury automaker’s future-proof vision for a more automated and AI-driven production process. The development was announced in a company statement, which revealed that a collaboration with Apptronik, an American robotics company, is underway to trial and integrate Apollo, a new-generation humanoid robot, into the production line.
The project is part of the company’s overall strategy to redefine its worldwide system of manufacturing, its so-called “digital-first production strategy.” Central to the transformation is the vision of combining cutting-edge technologies like artificial intelligence, robotics, and digital twin solutions to create a more flexible, effective, and sustainable production environment.
Meet Apollo: designed for real-world industrial tasks
As Mercedes-Benz states, Apollo will first help with heavy or repetitive work, such as transporting components to assembly sites or handling pieces in tight spaces. “We are opening new dimensions with the application of robotics to support our trained personnel in production,” added Jörg Burzer, Member of the Board of Management of Mercedes-Benz Group AG. “This is an excellent opportunity to shape the future of production.”
Apollo stands at 5 feet 8 inches tall and weighs around 73 kilograms. It is designed to be safe around humans and capable enough to perform various tasks. It can lift 25 kilograms and is equipped with sensors and vision systems to enable it to perceive and respond to its surroundings. Mercedes-Benz has been a great partner that shares our vision of humanoid robots,” Apptronik CEO Jeff Cardenas said. “This partnership is a giant leap for the robotics industry.”
Mercedes-Benz – From fixed automation to flexible intelligence
Deployment of humanoid robots in a real factory setting, such as Mercedes’ Berlin factory, is a big break from past applications of automation that often rested on stationary robotic arms or computer-programmed machinery operating in discrete segments. In using Apollo, Mercedes-Benz is testing the potential of robotic systems operating alongside human workers, augmenting rather than replacing them. The goal, says the company, is not to replace skilled labour but to enhance productivity and safety in the assembly line.
It’s not the first time Mercedes-Benz has adopted the use of robots. The firm has always employed advanced automation at its factories, but using humanoid robots marks a new direction—something consistent with industry moves nowadays to couple robots with AI and machine learning. According to the press release, the Berlin Digital Factory Campus is a testbed for testing innovation in implementing scalable automation solutions that are adaptable enough to be deployed company-wide across the company’s global production network.
The future of manufacturing takes shape
The Berlin location, which boasts a history of innovation, is leading the way with this transition. The company states it will continue to monitor Apollo’s performance over the next few months and will potentially further increase the utilization of humanoid robots depending on the findings. This deployment is in line with Mercedes-Benz’s determination to stay at the forefront of the luxury space while also preparing its manufacturing facilities for the future.
As more industries experiment with robotics and AI integration, Mercedes-Benz is among the first legacy automakers to publicly pilot humanoid robots in a core production role. The implications extend beyond efficiency; they raise questions about the evolving relationship between human labour and machines. While critics may voice concerns over automation replacing jobs, Mercedes-Benz is taking a different stance: using robots to support workers, not substitute them. Whether Apollo will become a permanent fixture on the factory floor remains to be seen, but one thing is clear: the future of car manufacturing is already taking shape—and it’s walking on two legs.
