Honda uses artificial intelligence and robots at a new electric vehicle plant in China

Honda reports that by using automation and artificial intelligence at one of its electric vehicle factories in China, it needs 30% less staff than at a traditional factory. Although machines and robots are not yet fully replacing factory workers, the new technologies being used, as well as robots utilized by companies including BMW and Dongfeng, do not paint a cheerful picture for test subjects.

Recently, the Japanese brand started production of the fully electric Ye P7 in cooperation with a local joint venture. The factory in Guangzhou uses Automated Guided Vehicles, or AGVs, to move critical car components throughout the factory, including heavy battery packs. Traditionally, people needed to transport parts across the factory.

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During a conversation with, Honda added that it is also using artificial intelligence technology to optimize the welding process for the new electric SUV, available only in China. Why? It wants “to minimize fixed costs as much as possible,” adding that it sees “electrification as an opportunity to rethink the way cars are made.”

Ye P7 is an important vehicle for Honda. In most Western markets, the Japanese automaker lags behind many competitors in releasing battery electric vehicles that attract the mass consumer. As China quickly became the world’s largest electric vehicle market, the automaker cannot afford to fall behind competitors, otherwise, it may see its sales in China dry up.

Just like , the P7 has a battery capacity of 89.8 kWh, and the base models feature a rear motor with 268 hp. Additionally, a dual-motor version is available, with a combined output of 469 hp. Rear-wheel-drive models have a claimed range of 404 miles (650 km), while the all-wheel-drive version can apparently travel up to 385 miles (620 km) without recharging.