Mercedes-Benz Vans said on Monday it is introducing autonomous robotics at its Düsseldorf plant to cut energy losses, improve maintenance and automate routine tasks.
The German automaker said its four-legged robot “Aris” detects compressed air leaks and noise anomalies in production systems, helping to prevent failures and reduce energy consumption. “For example, it can automatically carry out the routine inspection of analogue gauges of certain systems and machines. The data is recorded and can finally be evaluated as easily as possible,” the company said, adding that such measures can lower costs “in the six-digit range.”
The robo-dog is capable of climbing stairs and moving independently around the site. Mercedes-Benz Vans said potential future applications include checking escape routes and contributing to digital twin models.
In parallel, an autonomous drone performs container counts across the 325,000-square-metre facility, which produces panel van variants of the Sprinter and eSprinter. Using AI software, the drone identifies and counts load carriers by their dimensions and outline, automating tasks and allowing employees to focus on higher-value work.
Mercedes-Benz Vans described the use of robotics as “a key step towards a digital future in our production network.” The Düsseldorf plant began producing the current generation of the eSprinter in 2023.
