General Motors is rolling out collaborative robots—or "cobots"—at its Factory Zero assembly plant in Detroit. Designed to work alongside humans, these robotic arms are meant to handle heavy lifting and repetitive tasks, improving ergonomics while leaving complex assembly work to the production team.
However, the rollout has drawn sharp ire from the United Automobile Workers (UAW) union. The deployment coincides with broader industry automation and significant job cuts—including more than 1,000 layoffs at Factory Zero—causing anxiety about workforce reductions as the auto industry shifts toward AI and new technology.