Audi tests humanoid robots in logistics

In Ingolstadt, Audi is testing mobile humanoid robots designed to sort parts in its logistics bins. These robots, developed in partnership with Agile Robots, Dassault Systèmes, and NVIDIA, aim to assist in the complex task of part sequencing within the plant.

High-speed logistics challenge

Audi’s Ingolstadt plant operates at a high pace, requiring about a million picking operations per day. These operations involve sorting parts of various sizes and shapes from bins, a task that traditional automation struggles with due to the variability of components.

Humanoid robots as a solution

The project seeks to determine if mobile humanoid robots, capable of moving at human height, can effectively handle part sequencing. These robots are first trained in a virtual environment before being tested in the real plant, using simulation tools from NVIDIA and Dassault Systèmes.

Agile ONE robot specifications

The Agile ONE humanoid robot, developed by Agile Robots, stands about 1.74 meters tall and weighs 69 kg. It can move at a speed comparable to a human and uses cameras, LiDAR, and tactile sensors to navigate and pick up parts from bins.

Virtual training environment

Audi, Dassault Systèmes, and NVIDIA have created a digital twin of the sequencing area using the DELMIA environment on the 3DEXPERIENCE platform. This virtual setup allows the testing of scenarios, cycle times, and safety before physical implementation.

Testing in both virtual and real environments

Currently, three humanoid robots are involved in the project, which began in spring 2025 and was expanded in summer 2025. These robots perform sequencing tasks in both the virtual twin and the real plant, picking parts and arranging them in the correct order for final assembly.