Published on: March 21, 2025 / update from: March 21, 2025 - Author: Konrad Wolfenstein
Mercedes-Benz tested Humanoid robots: Apollo from Apptronik supports in the Berlin plant in production and logistics-Image: Mercedes-Benz
New standards: automation at Mercedes-Benz with Apollo
Pioneering spirit: Mercedes-Benz integrates humanoid robots into works
Mercedes-Benz has undertaken an important step towards automation and digital transformation of its production facilities. The automobile manufacturer is investing in Humanoid robots of the “Apollo” Apptronik type and is already testing them in his works in Berlin-Marienfelde and Kecskemét (Hungary). This innovation could change the work processes in the automotive industry sustainably and represents an important milestone in the progressive digitization of the manufacturing processes.
Strategic investment in robotics technology
Mercedes-Benz has decided to invest a “low double-digit million amount” in the US company Apptronik in order to promote the development and use of humanoid robots in automotive production. The corresponding agreement was signed in Marienfelde in March 2025 and underlines the company's long -term commitment to innovative manufacturing technologies. This investment is part of Mercedes-Benz's comprehensive strategy to modernize and make its production processes more efficient.
The Stuttgart plan to use the “Apollo” robot in the future in production and in the logistics area. There is currently a single-digit number of these robots in test mode, mainly in the works of Kecskemét and Berlin-Marienfelde. These locations serve as pilot projects to gain experience and optimize the system for broad use.
Production leader Jörg Burzer emphasizes that this is a “new area” and that the company wants to understand the potential of robotics in automotive production. In particular, areas with low qualifications, repetitive and physically demanding work should be identified in which these robots can be used sensibly.
Suitable for:
Technical specifications and skills of the Apollo robot
The Apollo robot from Apptronik is characterized by impressive technical properties. With a height of 1.73 meters and a weight of 72 kilograms, it roughly corresponds to the dimensions of an average person. This anthropomorphic design enables the robot to work in rooms that were originally designed for human labor without extensive redesign measures.
Apollo can wear loads of up to 25 kilograms and has a battery that enables an operation of about four hours. The robot is modular and can be used both inpatient and completely mobile with legs, which increases its flexibility in different production environments. These technical properties make it a versatile tool for various tasks in automotive production.
Apollo is currently still controlled by people and is in a learning phase. It can already put individual auto parts together or put on screws. This so -called “Teleoperation” serves to train the robot by controlling people and learning the tasks to be carried out. The goal is that Apollo can finally perform these movements autonomously and work independently in the production streets.
Current areas of application and test phases
In the current test phase, Apollo already takes on simple tasks, such as sorting parts from a shelf into a transport car, which is then brought to production. In the Berlin plant, the robot is currently used in a controlled test environment to collect data and optimize the system for later use in real production.
Mercedes-Benz and Apptronik jointly examine how Apollo can be used to rationalize logistics and to support the production line. A possible application is the use of the humanoid robot when delivery of assembly sets with the required parts to the workers, while at the same time carrying out quality controls on the components. In addition, Apollo is to be used to transport containers with mounted parts in different stages of the manufacturing process.
The tests take place primarily on the Digital Factory Campus in Berlin-Marienfelde, which is considered a group pioneer in digital technologies. This location is particularly suitable because Mercedes-Benz drives the transformation towards alternative drives and digital technologies. From the coming year, the production of a new, powerful electric motor for the electroplayal form of Mercedes-AMG is to start in Berlin-Marienfelde, developed by the British manufacturer Yasa.
Economic aspects and future prospects
The costs are an essential factor for the broader use of the Apollo robots. The price per unit is currently a “higher double-digit thousand euro amount”. According to Apptronik-CEO Jeff Cardenas, the prototype costs around $ 50,000 (around 45,700 euros). Due to the planned series production, the price is expected to drop by 50 percent by 2030.
Production leader Jörg Burzer emphasizes: "The costs will be decisive ... if the costs achieve a double-digit thousand dollar amount-which is quite possible-it will be very interesting". This cost reduction is an essential factor for the economic feasibility of a large -scale use of robots in automotive production.
Mercedes-Benz does not primarily see a replacement for human workers in the humanoid robots, but rather support, especially with dangerous or monotonous tasks. This approach could help counteract the shortage of skilled workers by relieving qualified employees of repetitive tasks and focusing on more demanding activities.
In the future, Apollo should become more autonomous and independently carry out tasks, such as picking or collecting parts from warehouse boxes. The model should also help with quality control. The ability to take on different tasks makes the robot particularly valuable for flexible production.
Suitable for:
Comparison with other automobile manufacturers
Mercedes-Benz is not the only automobile manufacturer that experiment with humanoid robots. Companies such as Honda, Hyundai, BMW and Tesla also research the use of such technologies in their production facilities. Honda is considered a pioneer because the company started developing humanid robots in 1986.
In April 2024, Tesla CEO Elon Musk expressed that the Tesla robot “Optimus” could possibly take on tasks in the factory by the end of the year, but has not given any further updates to this project since then. Despite these diverse initiatives, no automobile manufacturer Humanoid robot has used a large scale in production.
With its strategic investment in apptronics and the systematic testing of the Apollo robot in real production environments, Mercedes-Benz is positioned at the top of this technological development. The approach of initially training the robots for specific, clearly defined tasks and gradually expanding their skills could prove to be successful in order to integrate this technology into automotive production sustainably.
Automobile production in change: the role of robotics and cost efficiency
Testing the humanoid robot Apollo by Mercedes-Benz is an important step in the transformation of automotive production. The use of such robots could not only improve the efficiency and flexibility of the production processes, but also contribute to relieving human work, especially in repetitives and physically demanding activities.
The current tests in the works of Berlin-Marienfelde and Kecskemét provide valuable knowledge for the further development and optimization of robot technology. While the high acquisition costs are currently still a challenge, the planned cost reduction through mass production could pave the way for wider use.
With his strategic investment in Apptronik, Mercedes-Benz shows a long-term commitment to innovative manufacturing technologies. The successful integration of humanoid robots into automotive production could mark a turning point in industry and set new standards for the production of the future.
Suitable for:
Your global marketing and business development partner
☑️ Our business language is English or German
☑️ NEW: Correspondence in your national language!
Konrad Wolfenstein
I would be happy to serve you and my team as a personal advisor.
You can contact me by filling out the contact form or simply call me on +49 89 89 674 804 (Munich) . My email address is: wolfenstein ∂ xpert.digital
I'm looking forward to our joint project.
