Renault Introduces AI Robots in French Factories to Reduce Manual Labor and Boost Production Efficiency

Renault is introducing humanoid robots in its electric vehicle factories in France to reduce the proportion of employees engaged in high-intensity physical labor. The first headless biped robot is already operational, tasked with moving tires to conveyor belts and sending them to the assembly line.

The company plans to deploy around 350 robots over the next 18 months, aiming to cut per-car production time by 30% and reduce production costs by 20% within five years to boost global competitiveness.

Named Calvin-40, the robot is developed by New York-based startup Wandercraft. It can repeatedly carry up to 40kg of heavy objects without rest, features a waist camera and LED status lights, and prioritizes practicality in industrial settings—able to operate independently and safely integrate into production lines.

Renault's production chief reassured employees that robots won't replace humans in the short term, as they still can't meet the speed and flexibility demands of the final assembly line. This marks the first time in the industry that humanoid robots are used in actual production. CEO Fu Lan believes robots should be put to work on production lines rather than just displayed at exhibitions.