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Apollo the robot joins Mercedes-Benz assembly line production

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Apollo the robot joins Mercedes-Benz assembly line production

You just knew this was coming. No doubt, you’ve heard about the staffing shortages in factories. And guess what? The solution seems to be robots.

At Mercedes-Benz Manufacturing in Hungary, they’ve swapped out some of their human workers for humanoid robots right there on the factory floor. These futuristic robots are produced by Apptronik, a Texas-based company.

Mercedes-Benz and Apptronik have teamed up to explore how these robots can lend a helping hand to their human counterparts. The goal? To tackle staffing challenges during the manufacturing process.

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Apollo, the humanoid robot at a Mercedes-Benz factory. (Apptronik)

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The humanoid robot workmate

The humanoid robots are called Apollo. Standing at a height of 5 feet 8 inches and weighing in at 160 pounds, Apollo mirrors the proportions of a human worker. Its mission? To collaborate seamlessly with its human counterparts while tackling physically demanding tasks.

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Apollo the robot works at a Mercedes-Benz factory. (Apptronik)

MORE: AI ROBOT THAT CAN TRIM, EDGE AND BLOW YOUR LAWN FOR YOU 

The robot’s strength and agility

Apollo’s powerful arms can lift up to 55 pounds at a time, making it a valuable asset in an assembly line environment. Its swappable battery ensures a runtime of approximately four hours per pack, enough to keep it going through a productive shift.

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Apollo the humanoid robot does work in a Mercedes-Benz factory. (Apptronik)

MORE: THIS ROBOT INVENTION CAN DO BACKFLIPS BETTER THAN A GYMNAST

Is the robot safe?

Apollo’s unique force control architecture allows it to operate safely alongside humans. Think of it as a collaborative robot, not an industrial behemoth. No need to barricade off sections of the factory; Apollo integrates seamlessly into existing spaces.

Apollo the robot works on a car at a Mercedes-Benz factory. (Apptronik)

MORE: THIS HUMANOID ROBOT IS NOW CAPABLE OF FULL CONVERSATIONS

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The robot’s applications in manufacturing facilities

Apollo’s first task? Logistics. It shuttles parts to the production line, ensuring workers have what they need to assemble vehicles. So, for example, Apollo delivers assembly kits while simultaneously inspecting components. Later in the process, Apollo takes on another critical role: delivering totes of kitted parts. These neatly organized containers contain everything necessary for specific assembly steps.

Apollo the robot at a Mercedes-Benz factory. (Apptronik)

How the robot is bridging the labor gap

Mercedes-Benz faces a common challenge: finding reliable workers for physically demanding, repetitive, dull tasks. That’s where Apollo comes in and bridges the gap. The company says these robots allow them to automate tasks and free up skilled employees to focus on higher-value work. They say it’s a win-win for productivity and job satisfaction. However, it’s unclear how many robots will be used at their factories.

A close-up of Apollo the humanoid robot on a Mercedes-Benz factory floor. (Apptronik)

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Robots on the assembly line

But Mercedes-Benz isn’t the only player in this game. Earlier this year, BMW made waves by partnering with California-based Figure to put its robots to the test. The star of the show? Figure’s 01 robot, currently hard at work in BMW’s U.S. factories located in Spartanburg, South Carolina.

Kurt’s key takeaways

Both Mercedes-Benz and BMW are still fine-tuning their approach, figuring out how best to leverage these robots. The goal? To automate those tricky, unsafe or downright tedious tasks that have traditionally fallen on human shoulders. From delivering and inspecting parts to working alongside skilled workers, these robots are poised to revolutionize the assembly line.

Is this a step in the right direction, or is this just another way to replace human jobs with automation, potentially leading to job displacement? Let us know by writing us at Cyberguy.com/Contact

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Technology

Humanoid robot makes architectural history by designing a building

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Humanoid robot makes architectural history by designing a building

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What happens when artificial intelligence (AI) moves from painting portraits to designing homes? That question is no longer theoretical. 

At the Utzon Center in Denmark, Ai-Da Robot, the world’s first ultra-realistic robot artist, has made history as the first humanoid robot to design a building.

The project, called Ai-Da: Space Pod, is a modular housing concept created for future bases on the Moon and Mars. CyberGuy has covered Ai-Da before, when her work focused on drawing, painting and performance art. That earlier coverage showed how a robot could create original artwork in real time and why it sparked global debate.

Now, the shift is clear. Ai-Da is moving beyond art and into physical spaces designed for humans and robots to live in.

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3D-PRINTED HOUSING PROJECT FOR STUDENT APARTMENTS TAKES SHAPE

Ai-Da Robot is the humanoid artist that made architectural history by becoming the first robot to design a building. (FABRICE COFFRINI/AFP via Getty Images)

Inside the ‘I’m not a robot’ exhibition

The exhibition “I’m not a robot” has just opened at Utzon Center and runs through October. It explores the creative capacity of machines at a time when robots are increasingly able to think and create for themselves. Visitors can experience Ai-Da’s drawings, paintings and architectural concepts. Throughout the exhibition period, visitors can also follow Ai-Da’s creative process through sketches, paintings and a video interview.

ELON MUSK TEASES A FUTURE RUN BY ROBOTS

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How Ai-Da creates art and architecture

Ai-Da is not a digital avatar or animation. She has camera eyes, specially developed AI algorithms and a robotic arm that allows her to draw and paint in real time. Developed in Oxford and built in Cornwall in 2019, Ai-Da works across disciplines. She is a painter, sculptor, poet, performer and now an architectural designer whose work is meant to provoke reflection.

“Ai-Da presents a concept for a shared residential area called Ai-Da: Space Pod, a foreshadowing of a future where AI becomes an integrated part of architecture,” explains Aidan Meller, creator of Ai-Da and Director of Ai-Da Robot. “With intelligent systems, a building will be able to sense and respond to its occupants, adjusting light, temperature and digital interfaces according to needs and moods.”

A building designed for humans and robots

The Space Pod is intentionally modular. Each unit can connect to others through corridors, creating a shared residential environment.

Through a series of paintings, she envisions a home and studio for humans or robots alike. According to the Ai-Da Robot team, these designs could evolve into fully realized architectural models through 3D renderings and construction. They could also adapt to planned Moon or Mars base camps.

Aidan Meller presents Ai-Da robot, the first AI-powered robot artist during the UN Global Summit on AI for Good, where they are giving the keynote speech, on July 7, 2023, in Geneva, Switzerland. (Johannes Simon/Getty Images for Aidan Meller)

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While the concept targets future bases on the Moon and Mars, the design can also be built as a prototype on Earth. That detail matters as space agencies prepare for longer missions beyond our planet.

“With our first crewed Moon landing in 50 years coming in 2027, Ai-Da: Space Pod is a simple unit connected to other Pods via corridors,” Meller said. “Ai-Da is a humanoid designing homes. This raises questions about where architecture may go when powerful AI systems gain greater agency.” The timing also aligns with renewed lunar exploration tied to NASA missions.

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Why this exhibition is meant to challenge you

According to Meller, the exhibition is meant to feel uncomfortable at times. “Technology is developing at an extraordinary pace in these years, he said, pointing to emotional recognition through biometric data, CRISPR gene editing and brain computer interfaces. Each carries promise and ethical risk. He references Brave New World and warnings from Yuval Harari about how powerful technologies may be used. 

In that context, Ai-Da becomes a mirror of our time. “Ai-Da is confrontational. The very fact that she exists is confrontational,” said Line Nørskov Davenport, Director of Exhibitions at Utzon Center. “She is an AI shaker, a conversation starter.”

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Aidan Meller, British Gallery owner and specialist in modern and contemporary art, stands beside the AI robot artist “Ai-Da” at the Great Pyramids of Giza, where she exhibits her sculpture during an international art show, on the outskirt of Cairo, Egypt, Oct. 23, 2021.  (REUTERS/Mohamed Abd El Ghany)

What this means for you

This story goes beyond robots and space travel. Ai-Da’s Space Pod shows how quickly AI is moving from a creative tool to a decision-maker. Architecture, housing and shared spaces shape daily life. When AI enters those fields, questions about control, ethics and accountability become unavoidable. If a robot can design homes for the Moon, it may soon influence how buildings function here on Earth.

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Kurt’s key takeaways

A humanoid robot designing a building once sounded impossible. Today, Ai-Da’s work sits inside a major cultural institution and sparks real debate. She offers no easy answers. Instead, she pushes us to think more critically about creativity, technology and responsibility. As the line between human and machine continues to blur, those questions matter more than ever.

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If AI can design the homes of our future, how much creative control should humans be willing to give up? Let us know by writing to us at Cyberguy.com.

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Halide co-founder Sebastiaan de With is joining Apple’s design team

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Halide co-founder Sebastiaan de With is joining Apple’s design team

I’ve never been more optimistic about the future of Lux and Halide. Today we launched the public preview of Halide Mark III, and the reception is more positive than we possibly could have hoped.

As we mentioned in the announcement post today, we’ve been working with legendary team at The Iconfactory on Mark III. We’re also super excited to be collaborating with the renowned colorist Cullen Kelly on the new looks in Mark III.

Ten years ago I started Halide, and for ten years, I lead product, ran the business, and coded almost everything. Except for the paywall. I hate working on payment screens. But I built everything else, and design was always a collaborative experience.

So in short, Halide is going nowhere. This has been my full time job since 2019, and I couldn’t imagine doing anything else.

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5 myths about identity theft that put your data at risk

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5 myths about identity theft that put your data at risk

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Most people think identity theft starts with a massive hack. In reality, it usually starts much more quietly, with bits of personal information you didn’t even realize were public: old addresses, family connections, phone numbers and shopping habits. 

All are sitting on data broker sites that most people have never heard of. During Identity Theft Awareness Week, organized by the Federal Trade Commission, it’s a good time to clear up some dangerous myths that keep putting people at risk, especially retirees, families and anyone who thinks they’re “careful enough.” 

Let’s break them down.

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Myth #1: ‘I wasn’t in a data breach, so I’m safe’

FIBER BROADBAND GIANT INVESTIGATES BREACH AFFECTING 1M USERS

Identity theft often starts quietly, with bits of personal information collected and shared long before a scam ever happens. (Kira Hofmann/picture alliance via Getty Images)

Reality: You don’t need to be in a breach to have your data exposed.

Data brokers legally collect personal information from public records, loyalty programs, apps and online purchases. Over time, they build detailed profiles that can exist for decades, even if you’ve never been hacked. Scammers often use this data as a starting point. It helps them sound legitimate, personalize messages and choose the right angle to trick you.

Actionable tips:

  • Don’t assume “no breach” means “no risk”
  • Avoid oversharing details on social media
  • Remove your personal data from data broker sites so it can’t be reused

Myth #2: ‘Scammers don’t have enough info to impersonate me’

Reality: They usually have more than enough.

Scammers don’t need your Social Security number to cause damage. A name, address history, phone number and family connections can be enough for someone to:

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This is why scams often feel unsettlingly personal.

Actionable tips:

  • Be suspicious of messages that reference personal details
  • Don’t confirm information just because the sender “knows” something about you
  • Reduce what’s available by removing your data from broker databases

Myth #3: ‘Retirees aren’t targeted because they’re cautious’

Reality: Retirees are one of the most targeted groups.

Why? Because scammers assume:

  • Stable income from pensions or benefits
  • More savings
  • Greater trust in official-looking messages
  • Less familiarity with newer scam tactics

Many scams are designed specifically for retirees, from Medicare updates to fake government notices and investment fraud. A recent widespread scam involves fake IRS calls and the illegitimate “Tax Resolution Oversight Department” that tries to steal your money.

Actionable tips:

  • Never act on urgent requests involving benefits or finances
  • Verify messages by contacting organizations directly
  • Encourage family discussions about scams and warning signs
  • Remove publicly available data that helps scammers profile retirees

Data brokers build detailed profiles using public records, apps, purchases and loyalty programs, even if you have never been hacked. (Kurt “CyberGuy” Knutsson)

Myth #4: ‘Credit monitoring will stop identity theft’

Reality: Credit monitoring only tells you after something has gone wrong.

It doesn’t stop scammers from:

  • Targeting you
  • Attempting account takeovers
  • Using your information in phishing or social engineering scams

Think of credit monitoring like a smoke alarm-helpful, but it doesn’t prevent the fire.

Actionable tips:

  • Use credit monitoring as a backup, not your main defense
  • Lock down accounts with strong passwords and two-factor authentication
  • Reduce exposure by removing your data before it’s misused

Myth #5: “There’s nothing I can do about data brokers”

Reality: You can take control, but doing it manually is time-consuming and frustrating.

Most data broker sites allow opt-outs, but each one has a different process. Some require forms. Others need ID verification. And many re-add your data months later. That’s why I recommend a data removal service. These services contact hundreds of data brokers on your behalf, request the removal of your personal information and keep monitoring them so it doesn’t quietly reappear. For families and retirees, this matters even more because once scammers connect relatives through broker profiles, multiple people can become targets.

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While no service can guarantee the complete removal of your data from the internet, a data removal service is really a smart choice. They aren’t cheap, and neither is your privacy. These services do all the work for you by actively monitoring and systematically erasing your personal information from hundreds of websites. It’s what gives me peace of mind and has proven to be the most effective way to erase your personal data from the internet. By limiting the information available, you reduce the risk of scammers cross-referencing data from breaches with information they might find on the dark web, making it harder for them to target you.

Check out my top picks for data removal services and get a free scan to find out if your personal information is already out on the web by visiting Cyberguy.com.

Get a free scan to find out if your personal information is already out on the web: Cyberguy.com.

ILLINOIS DHS DATA BREACH EXPOSES 700K RESIDENTS’ RECORDS

Why identity theft often starts long before you notice

Identity theft rarely begins with a dramatic moment.

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It usually starts with:

  • Data collected quietly over the years
  • Profiles that grow more detailed with time
  • Information being sold and resold without your knowledge

By the time fraud shows up on a credit report, the damage has often already been done.

What you can do during Identity Theft Awareness Week

If there’s one takeaway this week, it’s this: reducing your exposed data lowers your risk.

1) Be skeptical of unexpected messages

Do not trust surprise emails, texts or calls, even if they appear to come from a bank, retailer or government agency. Scammers often copy logos, language and phone numbers to look legitimate.

2) Verify requests on your own

If a message claims there’s a problem with an account, pause and verify it independently. Use the official website or phone number you already know, not the one provided in the message.

3) Reduce your digital footprint with a data removal service 

Remove your personal information from data broker websites that collect and sell names, addresses, phone numbers and other details. A data removal service can help you do just that. Less exposed data means fewer opportunities for identity thieves. Check out my top picks for data removal services and get a free scan to find out if your personal information is already out on the web by visiting Cyberguy.com.

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4) Turn on two-factor authentication

Enable two-factor authentication (2FA) wherever it’s available. Even if a criminal gets your password, 2FA adds a second barrier that can stop account takeovers.

5) Strengthen your account security

Use strong, unique passwords for important accounts and avoid reusing them across sites. A reputable password manager can securely store and generate complex passwords, making it easier to stay protected without memorizing everything.

Next, see if your email has been exposed in past breaches. Our No. 1 password manager pick includes a built-in breach scanner that checks whether your email address or passwords have appeared in known leaks. If you discover a match, immediately change any reused passwords and secure those accounts with new, unique credentials.

Check out the best expert-reviewed password managers of 2026 at Cyberguy.com.

Scammers use this background data to sound legitimate, personalize their messages and pressure victims into acting fast. (Matt Cardy/Getty Images)

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6) Use identity theft protection software

Consider identity theft protection software that monitors your personal information, alerts you to suspicious activity and helps you respond quickly if something goes wrong. Some services also assist with data broker removal and recovery support if your identity is compromised.

Identity Theft companies can monitor personal information like your Social Security Number (SSN), phone number and email address, and alert you if it is being sold on the dark web or being used to open an account. They can also assist you in freezing your bank and credit card accounts to prevent further unauthorized use by criminals.

See my tips and best picks on how to protect yourself from identity theft at Cyberguy.com.

7) Help family members stay protected

Scammers often target seniors and teens. Walk family members through these steps, help them secure accounts and encourage them to slow down before responding to urgent messages.

Kurt’s key takeaways

Identity theft isn’t about being careless; it’s about how much information is floating around without your permission. The fewer places your data lives online, the harder it is for scammers to use it against you. Taking action now won’t just protect you this week; it can reduce scams, fraud attempts and identity theft risks all year long.

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Which of these myths did you believe, and what personal information do you think is already out there about you without your consent? Let us know by writing to us at Cyberguy.com.

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