As we can look into the future everything will be managed by robots. So now the Mercedes Company are replacing some of its high-tech workers with real live humans. Well, we know that robots are able to solve a Rubik's Cube or driving a car, but according to a Bloomberg report, Mercedes is on a trend of replacing fixed robots either with humans, or smaller, more flexible machines. The problems are being caused by the array of options on the new S-Class—four different hub caps and various trim options confused the poor robots, but are no match for our opposable thumbs and high-resolution eyeballs.
“Robots can’t deal with the degree of individualization and the many variants that we have today,” told Mercedes' head of production Markus Schaefer. “We’re saving money and safeguarding our future by employing more people.”
With manufacturing focused around a skilled crew of workers, Mercedes can shift a production line in a weekend instead of the weeks needed in the past to reprogram robots and shift assembly patterns, Schaefer said. During that downtime, production would be at a standstill.
The revamped Mercedes E-Class, which goes on sale in March, is an example of cutting back on machines. To align the car's head-up display, which projects speed and navigation instructions onto the windshield, the carmaker will replace two permanently installed robots with either one movable, lightweight machine or a worker.
The world's second-largest maker of luxury cars isn't doing this in isolation. BMW and Volkswagen's Audi are also testing lightweight, sensor-equipped robots safe enough to work alongside people. The edge they're seeking is to be better and faster than rivals as the pace of change affecting the auto industry quickens. Cars are increasingly morphing into mobile devices on wheels, and manufacturers are under pressure to upgrade their models more frequently than the traditional seven-year cycle.
