While we furiously try to keep up with the news on the massive number of AI agents across HR, EX and customer experience services. Don’t think we haven’t noticed the growing number of metallic machines appearing in factories and production floors around the world. From consumer banks to urban street sweepers, their numbers are growing.
The latest is Apollo from Mercedes Benz, a feature of the company’s Berlin Digital Factory Campus. Apollo is a poster child of the company’s production digitalisation. Over three years, the campus has combined development, testing, and rapid implementation of software applications for its heavily-automated global vehicle production network. Apollo, of course, if the ancient god of manifold purpose!
“The transformation of Berlin-Marienfelde, our oldest production site, is ongoing. Besides digitalisation, we’re establishing it as the centre of excellence for high-performance electric motor manufacturing. Starting next year, new cutting-edge axial-flux motors for our future AMG.EA models will exclusively roll off the production line at the plant.” Says Ola Kaellenius, CEO at Mercedes Benz.
Robots and AI in charge?
Mercedes-Benz Cars Operations 360 digital production ecosystem, or “MO360”, contains the key software applications and data for a global production network. At the MBDFC, development and testing of new processes and technologies combines with rapid global implementation of pioneering MO360 software applications for automotive production.
Mercedes-Benz has added AI features like the Digital Factory Chatbot Ecosystem and the MO360LLM AI Suite to its MO360 production system. With humanoid robots from US-based company Apptronik, it can create new production processes and in-car features. These are enabled through the Mercedes-Benz Operating System (MB.OS) and tested before being sent to real-life production lines at other plants.
Marienfelde, for example, played an important role in preparing the Rastatt plant for its ramp-up of the new Mercedes-Benz CLA, the first vehicle to incorporate MB.OS, and media system FYI, an AI-powered platform founded by creative artist, producer and tech entrepreneur will.i.am.
“Mercedes-Benz Berlin-Marienfelde is at the cutting edge of automotive production and keeps Germany on the map as a global centre for innovation. Artificial Intelligence and humanoid robots open up an exciting new frontier which make automotive production more sustainable, efficient and more intelligent.” said Jörg Burzer, responsible for production, quality & supply chain management
Robots in factories, robots and AI in cars, robots in stores and on the streets. We know where this story will end, and can only watch breathlessly as the machines take over, theoretically making our lives better as part of the customer or employee experience, but at what cost?