Magna, a Canadian auto manufacturing company that supplies vehicles to top automakers like Mercedes, Jaguar, and BMW, has announced a partnership with Sanctuary AI, a robotics company. While the exact number of humanoid robots involved in this collaboration remains undisclosed, it follows similar deals made by other robotics companies like Figure and Apptronik, who are currently piloting their own humanoid systems with BMW and Mercedes, respectively.
Interestingly, Magna had previously invested in Sanctuary AI in 2021, around the same time Tesla’s Elon Musk announced plans for a humanoid robot to work in Tesla factories. This investment shows Magna’s confidence in the potential of humanoid robotics. Sanctuary AI, based in Vancouver, had already introduced its humanoid system named Phoenix which stands at 5’7″ and weighs 155 pounds. Though most available videos showcase the system’s torso, Phoenix is the first of Sanctuary’s humanoid models to walk on legs.
One area where Sanctuary AI has placed particular emphasis is the development of dexterous hands for their robots. This feature is crucial if these systems are intended to perform tasks beyond simply moving around objects. By focusing on creating more agile hands, Sanctuary AI is enhancing the functionality of its robots.
Describing the partnership as a “multi-disciplinary assessment,” Sanctuary AI intends to leverage Magna’s automotive product portfolio, engineering capabilities, and manufacturing expertise to improve the cost and scalability of their robots. In return, Magna has made a strategic equity investment in Sanctuary AI. However, it is important to note that this collaboration should be considered a pilot program rather than complete validation of the effectiveness and potential of humanoid robots. The ultimate factor that will determine its success is the return on investment (ROI) achieved by Magna.
Unfortunately, specific details about the duration of the pilot program, the number of robots involved, and the exact manufacturing facility where they will be deployed are not disclosed by either company. Nonetheless, this partnership represents an exciting venture into the future of robotics and automation in the automotive industry.