Volkswagen AG has deployed a robot that works alongside humans at its engine assembly plant here. The six-axis robotic arm is located in the cylinder head assembly section, where it is responsible for inserting delicate glow plugs into cylinder heads.
“This is the first collaborative robot in use at Volkswagen worldwide,” says Jurgen Hafner, project manager at VW’s plant in Salzgitter, Germany. “Due to its integrated safety mode, the robotic arm is able to collaborate directly with people without any guards. It thus contributes significantly toward optimizing healthy working processes.”