Latest news with #JörgBurzer
&w=3840&q=100)
Business Standard
4 days ago
- Automotive
- Business Standard
Suzuki halts Swift production in Japan as China curbs rare earth exports
Japanese automaker Suzuki Motor has suspended production of most of its Swift compact car models at its domestic plants due to a shortage of parts linked to China's rare earth export restrictions, business daily Nikkei Asia reported on Thursday. This marks the first direct hit to a Japanese automaker from Beijing's curbs, and analysts warn that wider disruptions could follow. The halt, which excludes the Swift Sport model, began on May 26 and is set to continue until June 6. While Suzuki did not officially cite the reason, the latest report suggests the move is linked to delays in parts procurement caused by slow Chinese export licence approvals. China, which accounted for around 70 per cent of the world's rare earth metal production in 2023 and about 90 per cent of rare earth magnet manufacturing, has slowed the issuance of export licences since imposing new controls in April. These measures came in response to US President Donald Trump's reciprocal tariffs on Chinese goods. The disruption has shed light on the vulnerability of global car production to China's dominance in rare earth elements, which are essential for electric and hybrid vehicle motors, among other high-tech uses. Ford, BMW, Mercedes also face rare earth-linked delays The issue is not isolated to Japan. Ford temporarily shut down its Chicago assembly line for the Explorer SUV in late May, and European parts suppliers are also beginning to shut operations, according to CLEPA, the European Association of Automotive Suppliers. Mercedes-Benz is in 'constant dialogue' with suppliers and is considering stockpiling key components, said Jörg Burzer, head of production. 'Physical buffers play a role,' he added, speaking from a factory in Rastatt, Germany. Meanwhile, BMW has acknowledged that some of its supply chains are already being affected. The company is actively monitoring risks and coordinating with vendors to prevent major fallout. Though automakers like Mercedes and BMW don't source rare earth metals directly, their Tier-1 suppliers use them in electric motors and hybrid systems, exposing them to the broader supply shock. India to send auto industry delegation to China Industry experts in India have warned authorities of the sharply declining availability of rare earth magnets. They cautioned that unless imports from China resume swiftly, production at several electric and ICE vehicle factories could come to a halt. India is set to send a high-level industry delegation to China next week, including representatives from the Society of Indian Automobile Manufacturers (Siam) and the Automotive Component Manufacturers Association of India (Acma). The delegation will hold talks with Chinese officials to fast-track approvals for rare earth mineral shipments, which are critical to the country's automotive industry. What rare earth minerals do in EVs and traditional cars Rare earth minerals play a vital role in modern cars, particularly in electric vehicles (EVs), where they are used to make compact, high-performance permanent magnets for electric motors. These magnets, made with elements like neodymium, dysprosium, and terbium, enable motors that are smaller, lighter, and more efficient than alternatives, crucial for improving EV range and performance. Rare earths are also found in ICE components like catalytic converters and in various systems across both EVs and traditional cars, from sensors to display screens. Japan to propose US cooperation on rare earth supply chains Amid growing concern, Japan is preparing to propose enhanced cooperation with the US on rare earth supply chains, especially in light of China's export curbs. The proposal is expected to be tabled in upcoming tariff negotiations.
Yahoo
21-03-2025
- Automotive
- Yahoo
Mercedes-Benz ups investment in Austin-based humanoid robotics company Apptronik
Mercedes-Benz is gearing up to use an Austin startup's humanoid robots in its manufacturing lines. The German auto company is leading a $53 million investment in Austin-based Apptronik's latest Series A funding round, joined by Japan Post Capital, ARK Invest, Helium-3, Magnetar, RyderVentures, and a syndicate led by Korea Investment Partners. This investment adds to Apptronik's previously announced $350 million round led by B Capital, Capital Factory, and Google. More: Austin-based humanoid robotics company Apptronik secures $350M in additional funding Thanks to the most recent investment, Apptronik's previously announced series A funding round has risen to $403 million, making it one of the largest funding rounds for the company. With the most recent investment, Mercedes — which was one of the first companies to explore applications of Apptronik's humanoid robot, Apollo — is testing the humanoid robots for tasks like moving components to the production line or carrying out quality checks in its manufacturing lines. The Apollo robots are five feet, eight inches tall, 160 pounds and can carry 55 pounds. They operate on swappable batteries. 'We are relentlessly focused on pushing the boundaries of what's possible in automotive innovation — not only in the cars we design, but in how we build them,' said Jörg Burzer, a member of the board of management at Mercedes-Benz Group AG. 'Our work with Apptronik has given us a front-row seat to the incredible pace of progress in humanoid robotics and AI, and the transformative potential these technologies hold for modern manufacturing." Apptronik was founded in 2016 as a spinoff from the Human Centered Robotics Lab at the University of Texas. Since then, it has raced companies like Elon Musk's Tesla to scale production of AI-powered humanoid robots. More: From science fiction to reality: Austin's Apptronik humanoid robot Earlier this month, Apptronik announced a strategic partnership with Google DeepMind to build the next generation of human-like robots. Apptronik, with commercial engagements with Mercedes and GXO, also collaborates with tech companies like Nvidia and supply chain solutions company Jabil to leverage Apollo. 'We're building a future where humanoid robots are not just tools, but trusted collaborators working seamlessly alongside people — starting in logistics, manufacturing and retail, and eventually expanding into elder care, disaster response and healthcare,' Apptronik co-founder and CEO Jeff Cardenas said in a statement. 'This investment is far more than capital — it's the foundation for strategic relationships that will accelerate Apollo's path to scaled production and broaden the reach and impact of humanoid robotics across the global economy.' This article originally appeared on Austin American-Statesman: Mercedes-Benz leads latest investment in Austin-based Apptronik
Yahoo
20-03-2025
- Automotive
- Yahoo
Mercedes-Benz begins using AI robotics to make its cars
Mercedes-Benz is planning the roll-out of humanoid robots and new artificial intelligence (AI) software across its US and European manufacturing lines to streamline processes, increase efficiency and save money. The Apollo robots from American company Apptronik and AI software from Google DeepMind are currently being tested at the car maker's Digital Factory Campus at its factory in Berlin, Germany. Apollo, a bipedal humanoid robot designed to mimic human actions, is being tested for logistics tasks, such as transporting components and assisting workers on the production line. Unlike traditional industrial robots, which are fixed in place and perform repetitive tasks, Apollo is capable of navigating factory floors and handling a variety of different, non-repetitive functions, speeding up manufacturing processes. Mercedes is initially deploying the robot in intra-logistics, moving materials between workstations to support human workers. It has also confirmed an investment of more than £85 million in Apptronik, signalling a deeper partnership that is expected to expand into other areas of manufacturing automation. Jörg Burzer, Mercedes' director of production, quality and supply chain management, told Autocar: 'We're training tasks away from the workforce. We're thinking hard about how we're going to implement it. It's important to choose the right tasks: repetitive and hazardous.' The investment in Apptronik, which has worked closely with NASA since its founding in 2016, allows Mercedes to leverage the company's recently announced partnership with Google and its DeepMind technology. This includes two new AI models: Gemini Robotics and Gemini Robotics Extended Reasoning. Both models run on Gemini 2.0, which Google describes as its most capable AI model to date, going beyond text and image output into physical action and commands to control robots. The AI-enhanced automation processes are being deployed in Mercedes' quality control and production monitoring, where assistants can analyse production anomalies, detect defects and optimise workflows. 'AI takes over the tasks we enjoy less, giving us time to focus on value-adding activities. It's a huge efficiency gain,' said Burzer. Together with these robotic advancements, Mercedes has also updated its digital production system with new AI-driven software tools, including a revised Chatbot Ecosystem. Although Mercedes operates a global network of manufacturing sites, its initial focus for the introduction of AI and humanoid robots is on its European and American factories. 'We don't have plans to introduce it to China,' Burzer told Autocar when questioned on the geopolitical implications of adopting the new production technology. This step from Mercedes follows other car makers in making similar moves towards integrating next-generation technologies into its manufacturing processes. In 2023, Autocar visited Hyundai's new AI-run factory in Singapore, which also uses robots to undertake many of its everyday tasks. And in 2024, JLR bought a robot dog to patrol its EV facility in Coventry, checking that equipment is working properly. ]]>
Budapest Times
28-01-2025
- Automotive
- Budapest Times
Mutually beneficial cooperation with Mercedes
'Kecskemét and Hungary will benefit enormously from the partnership with Mercedes', said Foreign Trade Minister Péter Szijjártó after he held consultations with top managers of the premium manufacturer in Budapest. The minister sees the partnership with the Stuttgart-based company as an important basis for economic growth in the transition to the age of electromobility. After the video conference, which was attended by Jörg Burzer, Member of the Board of Management of Mercedes-Benz AG for Production and Supply Chain Management, among others, Szijjártó emphasised in a press release that the German automotive group attaches great importance to the Kecskemét site. This is reflected in the continuously increasing capacities and number of employees at the Hungarian Mercedes plant. 'Mercedes is constantly bringing cutting-edge technologies from the automotive industry to Hungary, which strengthens the competitiveness of our country and helps to keep Hungary among the most modern economies in the world.' The joint tasks for 2025 were agreed during the consultation in Budapest.
