Leading global automaker General Motors has installed around 50 robotic arms at its Factory Zero electric vehicle plant in Detroit, while 1,300 workers remain out of work following temporary layoffs.
The move has drawn criticism from the United Auto Workers, which argues that GM could recall some of the affected employees instead of adding more automation to the production line.
The new robotic arms were made by Japanese automation company FANUC. They will work on GM’s assembly line and help attach different components to vehicles during production.
GM installed the machines while workers affected by temporary layoffs announced in March remain away from the plant.
More than 1,000 union members remain laid off indefinitely, according to UAW Local 22 President James Cotton.
Cotton said GM could bring some of those employees back to work rather than using 50 new robots to complete production tasks.
The March layoffs followed permanent job cuts involving another 1,200 Factory Zero workers in October 2025.
GM is not the only carmaker increasing its use of factory robots.
Stellantis and Ford have also deployed assembly-line robots, including robotic arms made by FANUC, as they expand automation across their US operations.
Hyundai plans to introduce Atlas humanoid robots at its main electric vehicle factory in Georgia by 2028. Boston Dynamics developed Atlas, and Hyundai acquired the robotics company in 2020.
Andrew Bergman, a Local 22 member and union organiser who was among the employees laid off by GM, said technology could make jobs safer and allow employees to work fewer hours without losing pay.
However, he argued that companies instead use automation to increase profits and reduce their workforces.
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