Mercedes Benz Set to Automate Car Manufacturing with Apollo Robots

It’s no secret that the auto industry is in the middle of a high-tech revolution, but Mercedes-Benz just pushed the boundaries a step further. At its Digital Factory Campus in Berlin-Marienfelde, Germany, the automaker is blending artificial intelligence (AI) with next-generation humanoid robots to reimagine how cars are built.

For decades, Mercedes-Benz has relied on industrial robots. But now, the game is changing. The Stuttgart-based luxury marque is collaborating with U.S. robotics firm Apptronik to introduce Apollo, a bipedal humanoid robot that may soon become a familiar face on the production floor.

Apollo, unlike robotic arms traditionally used on assembly lines, is capable of self navigating learning through AI. Initially, Apollo was given the role of grinding in intra-logistics, which is transporting items and then subdividing them at workstations and reorganizing them for other tasks. For human employees, this makes it easier to work on more complicated value adding tasks.

Mercedes is sparing no expense. With an investment surpassing £85 million in Apptronik, and a clear commitment to roll out these robots across its European and U.S. plants, this isn’t a mere pilot project—it’s the dawn of a full-scale transformation.

AI Takes the Wheel on the Assembly Line

Mercedes-Benz isn’t just investing in cutting-edge robotics—it’s teaching them to think on their feet. In collaboration with Google DeepMind, the automaker is deploying some of the world’s most advanced AI models, including Gemini Robotics and Gemini Robotics Extended Reasoning, both powered by the highly capable Gemini 2.0 platform. This isn’t just about crunching numbers or recognizing images; these AI systems are now crossing into the physical world, enabling robots like Apollo to take on tasks that were once the sole domain of human workers.

The result? Apollo won’t just be ferrying parts around the factory floor—it’ll soon be making real-time decisions, tackling varied, non-repetitive tasks, and smoothing out the friction points in production lines.

But Mercedes isn’t stopping at hardware. Behind the scenes, its MO360 AI Factory is deploying smart, multilingual AI chatbots to support workers directly. Whether it’s a question about machine maintenance or a troubleshooting tip, these digital assistants are ready with instant answers. Even more impressive, they can anticipate production hiccups before they occur, helping optimize operations in real time.

As Jörg Burzer of Mercedes-Benz puts it, it’s “a huge efficiency gain.”

Jörg Burzer, Mercedes-Benz’s director of production, quality, and supply chain management, offers insight into the strategy:

“We’re training tasks away from the workforce. We’re thinking hard about how we’re going to implement it. It’s important to choose the right tasks: repetitive and hazardous.”

Burzer highlights the efficiency benefits too:

“AI takes over the tasks we enjoy less, giving us time to focus on value-adding activities. It’s a huge efficiency gain.”

For now, the focus remains on Europe and the U.S., with no immediate plans to roll out Apollo robots in China.

Apptronik’s Rise to the Global Stage

Apptronik is on a roll, and the robotics world is taking notice. The Texas-based startup, already working alongside heavyweights like NASA and Google DeepMind, just added another $53 million to its war chest, bringing its total Series A funding to a staggering $403 million. Among the latest backers? Industry giants like Mercedes-Benz, Japan Post Capital, ARK Invest, and several others.

With momentum clearly on its side, Apptronik is aiming far beyond the factory floor. The company has its sights set on transforming not just automotive manufacturing, but also sectors like logistics, healthcare, and elder care. Apollo, its flagship humanoid robot, is at the heart of that vision—one step closer to making human-robot collaboration part of everyday life.

Interestingly, Apptronik has also partnered with Jabil, aiming to have Apollo robots help manufacture future generations of themselves. As they put it: “paving the way for Apollo to build Apollo.”

What’s Next?

This alliance between Mercedes-Benz, Apptronik, and Google DeepMind isn’t just a flashy tech experiment—it’s laying the groundwork for the future of car manufacturing. Humanoid robots like Apollo are stepping in as true teammates on the assembly line, pairing human-like dexterity with AI-driven smarts.

For Mercedes, this isn’t just about making things faster or cheaper. It’s about reimagining what the modern factory looks like—where cutting-edge robotics and human expertise work side by side to shape the next generation of automotive craftsmanship.

For readers interested in seeing Apollo in action and catching a glimpse of this cutting-edge production line, you can find detailed video of the Apollo robot and its work inside the Mercedes-Benz factory by clicking here.

Source : Mercedes-Benz