GFT & Google Cloud Deploy AI-Led Visual Inspection Robots

AI-powered robotic arms for automotive production lines are coming thanks to a partnership with Google Cloud. 

Launched by GFT Technologies, the company says the system uses three collaborative robots to verify component accuracy for parts including car bumpers and doors.

According to the International Federation of Robotics, the automotive industry accounts for 33% of industrial robot installations in the US during 2023. 

The deployment builds on GFT's collaboration with Google Cloud, which began in 2019.

That partnership has focused on implementing digital infrastructure for manufacturers and developing AI-powered visual inspection systems.

Three robot collaboration system

GFT's technology positions three robots along car production lines to work together.

The system checks components including bumpers, doors, pipes and other parts for manufacturing accuracy.

Brandon Speweik, Head of Industry Sales & Strategy at GFT Group, says: "Auto manufacturers have been asking the same question for years: how do we get AI off the screen and onto the floor?

"With this launch, that question has an answer."

"Bringing AI into the physical realm for auto manufacturers requires a partner who understands the intricacies of both the technology and the factory floor.

"That's been GFT's role for 35 years and this is the natural extension of it."

The working process is as follows – the first robot carries a camera on its arm to inspect each component.

The camera verifies positioning, checks for visual defects and confirms label and serial number accuracy.

Every photograph the camera captures is sent automatically to the cloud.

The cameras attachment to the robot's hand allows movement around components to capture multiple angles and check all surfaces.

Marking and removing defects

The second robotic arm marks parts that the first robot identified as defective. 

The third robot then interacts physically with the line and flagged components.

Its functions include repositioning parts and removing items from the production sequence.

Upon detecting a misaligned component, it can adjust the position before the part advances to the next stage.

The robot can also remove parts and flag them for human review when defects are detected or suspected.

AI agent analysis

GFT has integrated an AI agent into the root cause analysis process. The agent draws on images from the robots and other datasets to carry out this role. 

The system detects defects and automatically identifies their source. This could mean intervention happens before more defective parts are produced.

GFT says the combination of robotic arms, agentic AI and cloud technology maintains production speed without compromising quality or improvement capability.

One large US-based automotive manufacturer has begun deploying the technology across its operations, according to GFT.

Physical AI deployment growth

According to Deloitte's March 2026 report, Physical AI: The Moment of Acceleration, 41% of firms expect physical AI to transform their organisations.

The report also shows that more than 500,000 industrial robots were deployed in 2024.

Annual installations are forecast to reach 700,000 by 2028, according to Deloitte.

The automotive sector remains a top adopter of industrial robots in the US.