Renault to use humanoid robots for logistics, heavy tasks in factories

French automaker Renault Group plans to deploy 350 humanoid robots, developed in partnership with robotics firm Wandercraft, across its manufacturing plants within 18 months. This large-scale deployment marks a significant shift toward integrating humanoid robots into existing “brownfield” factory environments, focusing on logistics, material handling, and repetitive heavy tasks rather than complex assembly. Renault’s humanoid robot platform, called Calvin—already operational at the Douai plant—performs tasks such as tire handling, leveraging autonomous navigation and the ability to work alongside human workflows without requiring major infrastructure changes. The Calvin-40 variant is designed to operate flexibly within traditional factory layouts, complementing existing automation systems rather than replacing them. Unlike conventional fixed robotic cells, these humanoid robots can move freely across factory floors and adapt to less structured environments, addressing physically demanding tasks that are difficult to automate otherwise. Renault’s strategy reflects broader manufacturing trends that integrate robotics, AI, and connected production systems, with Calvin robots utilizing AI-driven perception and