Stellantis deploys autonomous robots to streamline assembly plant inventory

On the Dash:

• Stellantis is using autonomous robots to gain real-time visibility into parts and inventory at its Michigan assembly plant.
• The AI system helps prevent production disruptions and improves efficiency without replacing human workers.
• Early success is driving expansion to other Stellantis plants across North America.

Stellantis has deployed an autonomous, AI-powered robot at its Sterling Heights Assembly Plant in Michigan to improve material handling, inventory accuracy, and manufacturing efficiency, the company said.

The robot, developed by warehouse technology firm Dexory, operates inside the plant’s warehouse, scanning shelves multiple times each day and creating a live digital map of parts and components used in vehicle production. Each scan covers more than 36,000 square feet in under an hour, giving plant managers and production teams real-time visibility into inventory levels and part locations.

The system supports Stellantis’ broader strategy to integrate AI into manufacturing operations, thereby strengthening productivity and reducing disruptions on the assembly line. Sterling Heights assembles the Ram 1500 pickup, one of the automaker’s highest-volume vehicles.

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Using Dexory’s AI-driven platform, DexoryView, the robot continuously updates inventory data, identifies potential shortages, and flags parts that may require attention before they reach the production line. The platform also supports dynamic slotting, which places frequently used components in more accessible locations to improve efficiency and reduce physical strain on workers.

Chuck Padden, vice president and plant manager at Sterling Heights, said the technology helps make material handling more predictable and allows employees to focus on vehicle assembly with greater confidence that parts will be available when needed.

Stellantis said the robot works alongside the existing workforce rather than replacing jobs, adding that the combination of automation and human expertise improves both process accuracy and product quality.