The Robotics Challenge 2025 focused on the automated production of a wiring harness module . The second edition of the challenge, organized by the Wiring Harness Transformation Hub, started on November 1, 2024. It built upon the successful first challenge, which automated basic assembly steps such as connector placement, and pursued a further goal: the complete automation of a partial wiring harness through the use of robotics.

The task was aimed particularly at system integrators and AI experts with the aim of developing practical automation solutions for wiring harness production.

Registration closed on October 18, 2024. Shortly thereafter, participating companies and research institutions received their hardware packages. The development phase ran until February 28, 2025. Technical support and accompanying materials were available throughout the project, including a detailed task description and an information session with presentation slides and a recording. Click here for the challenge description and documentation of the information session.

In March 2025, the submitted concepts were presented by the participants. The final results and selected solutions were presented to a professional audience at the Innovation Forum for Conductor Systems on April 9, 2025.

"The automation of wiring harness production brings advantages for the OEM in particular in terms of process monitoring in the manufacturing process, the flexibility in the choice of wiring harness production locations and the traceability of wiring harnesses and their components. This robotics challenge exists in order to be able to examine potentials and explore new possibilities."
— Dr. Rainer König, former Head of Wiring Harness & Technology Development, Mercedes-Benz AG

Here you can see the testimonial from an OEM's perspective.

The first Robotics Challenge in 2024 was a great success and received extremely positive feedback from participants at the Wiring Harness Innovation Forum on April 11, 2024. The task was to automate a defined assembly process for the wiring harness. The processing steps included identifying and feeding a socket housing in the correct position, inserting various contact parts and ensuring correct locking. The results of the first challenge showed innovative solutions and provided valuable insights into the automation possibilities of wiring harness production. The strong response meant that the follow-up challenge will cover an even broader area of ​​wiring harness production.

For more details on the first challenge and the submitted solutions, visit: Robotics Challenge 2024

Registration for participation in our Robotics Challenge is now closed. If you have any questions or would like further information, please get in touch with our contact persons.