Audi pilots humanoid robots for logistics at Ingolstadt plant

Audi has launched a proof-of-concept project to integrate humanoid robots into its logistics operations at the Ingolstadt production plant. The initiative involves Agile Robots, which provides the hardware, alongside software support from Dassault Systèmes and Nvidia.

The project focuses on automating parts sequencing, a process where components must be retrieved from storage and arranged for vehicle assembly. By utilizing robots that operate at human height, Audi aims to automate repetitive, physically demanding tasks without requiring significant structural changes to existing production layouts.

Before physical deployment, the team is utilizing a digital twin of the logistics environment developed via Dassault Systèmes' 3DEXPERIENCE platform and Nvidia Omniverse. This virtual model allows engineers to test safety parameters, ergonomics, and operational timing in a simulated space, reportedly reducing the planning cycle from months to days.

This pilot intends to address long-standing challenges in automation, specifically the handling of mixed or semi-rigid components that are often difficult for standard industrial machinery to identify and grasp. The integration of AI-powered perception is intended to allow the robots to navigate varying component positions with high precision.