Renault has begun deploying a new generation of factory robots at its electric vehicle manufacturing complex in northern France, marking another step in the automotive industry’s shift toward AI-assisted production.

The robots, known as Calvin-40, have recently appeared on the Renault assembly line in Douai, where they perform repetitive tasks such as placing tires onto conveyor systems that feed the Renault 5 electric vehicle production line.

While only a handful of units are currently operating, Renault plans to dramatically expand their presence. Over the next 18 months, the company intends to deploy as many as 350 robots across its ElectriCity production network.

The initiative reflects a broader push by automakers to increase automation as EV production scales globally.

Automating Repetitive Work on the Assembly Line

The Calvin-40 machines were developed by French robotics company Wandercraft and are designed specifically for industrial environments.

Unlike traditional industrial robots that operate within fixed cages or workstations, these machines are built to move within factory spaces and interact with storage racks, conveyor systems, and other equipment.

Each robot stands on two legs and uses articulated arms capable of lifting loads of up to 40 kilograms. The robots retrieve parts such as tires or body components from storage bins and place them into the assembly flow.

A camera system mounted on the robot helps it track objects and monitor its work. Visual indicators on the machine provide operators with real-time status information.

According to Renault, tasks now performed by Calvin-40 robots previously required workers to repeat the same lifting and positioning motions hundreds of times per shift.

By shifting these operations to machines, the company hopes to reduce worker fatigue while maintaining a steady pace of production.

Training Robots for Manufacturing Speed

Developing robots capable of operating reliably in a factory environment required extensive AI training.

While the physical design of the Calvin-40 robot was completed relatively quickly, engineers spent several months refining the system’s software so it could operate at the speed required on an automotive production line.

Training involved teaching the robots how to recognize parts, retrieve components from storage racks, and place them accurately onto moving conveyor systems.

Even with these improvements, Renault says the robots are not yet fast enough to operate in every stage of final vehicle assembly. Some sections of the production line still require speeds beyond what the current generation of robots can achieve.

For now, the machines are focused on specific repetitive tasks where automation can deliver immediate productivity gains.

A Practical Approach to Factory Robotics

Renault’s approach differs from the strategy adopted by some technology companies that showcase humanoid robots in demonstration environments.

Instead of building futuristic prototypes first, Renault has focused on introducing practical automation directly into its factories.

The company has also invested financially in Wandercraft to adapt the robots for automotive manufacturing requirements.

Renault executives say the long-term goal is to accelerate vehicle production while reducing manufacturing costs.

The company aims to cut the time required to build a car by roughly one-third and reduce production expenses by about 20 percent within the next five years.

Automation technologies like the Calvin-40 robots will play a key role in reaching those targets.

Automation and the Future of EV Production

As electric vehicle demand grows, automakers are under increasing pressure to scale manufacturing capacity efficiently.

Factories must manage complex supply chains, new battery technologies, and increasingly competitive production costs.

Industrial robots have long played a role in automotive manufacturing, but newer AI-driven systems are beginning to extend automation into tasks that previously required human flexibility.

Renault’s deployment of the Calvin-40 robots highlights how manufacturers are experimenting with new forms of automation that combine mechanical capability with AI-driven perception and control.

While the robots currently handle relatively narrow tasks, their growing presence on factory floors signals how automation is gradually expanding deeper into the production process.

For automakers racing to scale EV production, that evolution could reshape how cars are built in the years ahead.

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HD Hyundai is moving forward with tests of humanoid robots designed specifically for shipyard welding, marking one of the most ambitious attempts yet to introduce humanoid machines into heavy industrial production.

The South Korean industrial group announced that several of its affiliates have partnered with U.S.-based robotics firm Persona AI to develop and test AI-powered humanoid robots capable of performing welding operations during ship construction.

The project brings together HD Korea Shipbuilding & Offshore Engineering, HD Hyundai Robotics, and Persona AI under a joint development agreement focused on creating robots capable of operating in demanding shipyard environments.

The effort reflects a broader push across heavy industry to apply artificial intelligence and robotics to tasks traditionally performed by highly skilled human workers.

Training Robots on Skilled Welder Expertise

At the center of the project is the challenge of translating human welding expertise into robotic systems.

HD Korea Shipbuilding & Offshore Engineering plans to train AI models using data gathered from experienced welders working in its shipyards. These datasets capture the techniques, motion patterns, and process conditions required for high-quality welding in ship construction.

The goal is to create a robotic system capable of replicating the precision and adaptability of human welders while operating continuously in industrial conditions.

HD Hyundai Robotics will be responsible for integrating the robotic systems and developing technology for monitoring welding quality and controlling the process during operation.

The humanoid platform itself is being developed by Persona AI, whose role includes designing a bipedal robot capable of navigating shipyard environments where narrow walkways, scaffolding, and uneven surfaces can complicate mobility.

Building Robots for Shipyard Conditions

Shipbuilding presents a particularly difficult environment for automation.

Unlike factory assembly lines with predictable layouts, shipyards involve large structures, confined spaces, and constantly changing work environments as vessels move through different construction stages.

Robots designed for these environments must combine multiple capabilities: stable locomotion, environmental perception, precise manipulation, and the ability to operate safely alongside human workers.

The welding robots being developed by HD Hyundai are expected to integrate these functions, allowing them to move between work areas and perform complex welding tasks without requiring fixed automation setups.

Initial prototypes have already undergone early technical evaluations and were judged capable enough to move into expanded testing.

Toward the Smart Shipyard

For HD Hyundai, the project is part of a broader strategy to modernize shipbuilding operations.

Shipyards face growing pressure to improve productivity while addressing worker safety concerns and labor shortages in skilled trades. Welding, in particular, involves physically demanding work often performed in hazardous environments.

Humanoid robots could potentially take on the most dangerous or repetitive tasks while human workers focus on supervision, planning, and specialized operations.

The company describes the welding humanoid as a foundation for future “smart shipyards”, where robotics and AI systems support complex construction processes.

Although the robots remain in the development stage, their eventual deployment could signal a shift in how large-scale industrial infrastructure is built.

As robotics systems become more capable of navigating complex environments and performing skilled manual work, industries such as shipbuilding may increasingly adopt humanoid machines to augment human labor on some of their most demanding tasks.

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More than 300 humanoid robots are expected to line up alongside human runners in Beijing next month for what organizers say will be the largest robotics endurance race ever held.

The 2026 Beijing E-Town Half Marathon and Humanoid Robot Half Marathon, scheduled for April 19, will feature robots developed by companies, universities, and research institutions from across China. Organizers say 76 teams representing 13 provincial-level regions have registered for the event.

The race marks a major expansion compared with the inaugural competition last year and reflects how quickly humanoid robotics development is accelerating in the country.

According to officials from the Beijing Bureau of Economy and Information Technology, the number of participating teams has increased nearly fivefold since the first race, while the diversity of participants now spans corporate labs, academic institutions, and training programs.

From Robotics Demo to National Testbed

The event will feature 26 robot brands and more than 300 humanoid machines attempting to complete the half marathon course.

While the competition has a public spectacle element, organizers frame it primarily as a technical proving ground for robotics systems.

Running long distances forces developers to address multiple engineering challenges simultaneously: locomotion stability, energy efficiency, heat management, mechanical durability, and motion control.

Unlike short demonstrations in laboratories or trade shows, endurance races expose weaknesses that may only appear after sustained operation.

For robotics developers, these competitions can reveal how well machines perform under continuous real-world stress.

Autonomy Takes Center Stage

One of the most significant shifts in this year’s event is the growing emphasis on autonomous navigation.

Organizers say roughly 38 percent of participating teams will deploy robots capable of navigating the course independently using onboard perception systems and mapping technology.

Last year, many robots relied on human assistance, remote control, or pacing guidance to stay on track.

Autonomous navigation introduces a much higher level of complexity. Robots must perceive their environment, interpret terrain changes, plan routes, and make real-time adjustments to maintain balance and speed.

These capabilities are central to the broader goal of deploying humanoid robots outside controlled environments.

A Rapidly Growing Ecosystem

University participation has surged as well. Twenty universities will enter robots into the race – ten times more than during the inaugural event.

This growth highlights the increasingly close relationship between academic robotics research and industrial development.

Humanoid robotics in China has seen significant momentum over the past year, fueled by advances in mechanical design, control systems, and AI-based motion planning.

The marathon event provides a rare opportunity to evaluate these technologies in a shared, competitive setting.

Beyond the Finish Line

While humanoid robots remain far from matching elite human athletes in endurance running, events like Beijing’s android marathon serve a different purpose.

They are designed to stress-test robotic systems under conditions that resemble real-world deployment – continuous movement, changing terrain, and unpredictable conditions.

The lessons learned from such competitions can influence future applications ranging from logistics and industrial work to search-and-rescue operations and infrastructure inspection.

As humanoid robots move from laboratory prototypes toward practical machines, endurance tests like the Beijing race may increasingly become benchmarks for measuring progress in embodied AI.

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