Mercedes-Benz has brought robot painters into its German factory, allowing for incredibly detailed designs that were impossible to create before.

The luxury carmaker has installed ABB Robotics' PixelPaint technology at its plant in Sindelfingen, Germany. This new system works alongside traditional car painting methods to add intricate patterns and designs to high-end vehicles.

How Does PixelPaint Work?

Think of PixelPaint as a giant, precise inkjet printer for cars. The system features:

• A special paint head with over 1,000 tiny nozzles that can be individually controlled
• Advanced 3D vision that helps the robot follow the exact curves of the car
• Zero paint waste - all paint goes directly onto the car with no overspray
• No need for workers to manually tape off areas of the car

"PixelPaint uses an award-winning paint head similar to an inkjet printer that can apply large areas of color as well as precise details with complete accuracy," explained Joerg Reger from ABB Robotics.

First Appearing on Ultra-Luxury Models

Mercedes is first using this technology on its exclusive Mercedes-Maybach SL 680 Monogram Series. Customers can request a special Maybach pattern in graphite grey on the obsidian black hood.

"This design would be impossible to achieve with traditional painting methods," a Mercedes representative noted.

Arno van der Merwe, head of production planning at Mercedes-Benz, called the technology "a milestone for painting our top-end models" and said it "raises us to a new level in individual coatings."

Better for the Environment Too

Beyond creating stunning designs, the robot painters are more environmentally friendly than traditional methods. The system:

• Eliminates paint waste
• Reduces emissions
• Lowers environmental treatment requirements
• Decreases the need for multiple trips through the paint shop

Part of ABB's Growing Robot Portfolio

This painting system is just one part of ABB's expanding robotics business. The company also offers:

• Collaborative robot arms that work alongside humans
• Autonomous mobile robots that move materials around factories
• A "no-code" system called AppStudio for creating robot interfaces
• Robot training tools for new operators

ABB Robotics has been so successful that its parent company, ABB Group, announced plans to spin off the entire robotics division as a separate company in 2026.

As car buyers increasingly look for personalized options, technologies like PixelPaint may become more common across the automotive industry, bringing custom designs previously only available through expensive aftermarket modifications directly to the factory floor.