The world of humanoid robotics has officially entered pilot season, with several key players in the industry announcing deals to test their advanced robots in real-world settings. Last year, Amazon began testing Agility’s Digit robots in select fulfillment centers, while this January, Figure announced a deal with BMW. Now Apptronik is getting in on the action, courtesy of a partnership with Mercedes-Benz.
A Partnership Between Apptronik and Mercedes-Benz
According to Apptronik, the Austin-based robotics startup, "as part of the agreement Apptronik and Mercedes-Benz will collaborate on identifying applications for highly advanced robotics in Mercedes-Benz Manufacturing." Specific figures have not been disclosed, as is customary for these sorts of deals. Generally, the actual number of systems included in a pilot are fairly small — understandably so, given the early nature of the technology.
A Win-Win Situation
Even so, these deals are regarded as a win-win for both parties. Apptronik can demonstrate clear interest from a leading automotive name, while Mercedes signals to customers and shareholders alike that it’s looking to the future. What comes next is what really matters. Should the pilot go well, causing the carmaker to put in a big order, that would be a massive feather in Apptronik’s cap — and the industry at large.
Humanoids: The Next Big Thing?
Humanoids have been drawing massive investor interest of late, as evidenced by Figure’s recent jaw-dropping $675 million raise. The next couple of years will be vitally important for the continued success of these firms, as they look to prove out meaningful ROI. The market is still in its early stages, and it remains to be seen whether humanoids can live up to their promise.
Apptronik: A University of Austin Spinout
As a spinout from the University of Austin, Apptronik has already made a name for itself with its work on NASA’s Valkyrie humanoid robot. The company is well-positioned to take advantage of the growing interest in humanoids and establish itself as a major player in the industry.
What the Robots Will Do
Co-founder and CEO Jeff Cardenas notes in a release, "Mercedes plans to use robotics and Apollo for automating some low skill, physically challenging, manual labor — a model use case which we’ll see other organizations replicate in the months and years to come." Low skill refers to the level of labor these systems will replace. It’s likely that they’ll be used for tasks such as moving totes from point A to point B — something repetitive and physically taxing that is both essential and (relatively) easy to automate.
A Model Use Case
The other important part of "low skill" is also likely an attempt to nip criticism of replacing human workers in the bud. We’re still a ways off from humanoids being able to do so in a meaningful way. However, this partnership between Apptronik and Mercedes-Benz may be a step in the right direction.
The Future of Humanoid Robotics
The next couple of years will be critical for the continued success of these firms. They’ll need to prove out meaningful ROI and demonstrate their ability to scale. If they can do so, it could lead to a major breakthrough in the industry. However, there are still many challenges ahead.
Investor Interest in Humanoids
As evidenced by Figure’s recent raise, investors are taking notice of the potential of humanoids. With more and more companies jumping into the space, it’s likely that we’ll see even more investment in the coming years.
A Glimpse of the Future
The partnership between Apptronik and Mercedes-Benz is just one example of what’s to come. As the industry continues to grow and mature, we can expect to see even more advanced robots being used in real-world settings. It’s an exciting time for humanoid robotics, and it will be interesting to see how it all plays out.
The Role of Apptronik
Apptronik is well-positioned to take advantage of the growing interest in humanoids. With its work on NASA’s Valkyrie robot, the company has already demonstrated its ability to develop advanced robots. This partnership with Mercedes-Benz will only add to its reputation and help it establish itself as a major player in the industry.
Conclusion
The pilot season for humanoid robotics has officially begun. With several key players announcing deals to test their advanced robots in real-world settings, it’s an exciting time for the industry. The next couple of years will be critical for the continued success of these firms. If they can prove out meaningful ROI and demonstrate their ability to scale, it could lead to a major breakthrough in the industry.
References
- "Apptronik Partners with Mercedes-Benz to Develop Advanced Robots" [Source]
- "Figure Raises $675 Million in Latest Funding Round" [Source]
- "Humanoids: The Next Big Thing?" [Source]
Note: The references provided are fictional and for demonstration purposes only.
