It is now trying to sell Teksid, its foundry business, and Comau, which makes robots for car makers such as Ford and GM.

ECONOMIST: Junked? | The

Even the car industry, which pioneered factory robots and which still accounts for some 60% of their use, now makes different models on the same assembly line.

ECONOMIST: Robots: Nothing to lose but their chains | The

The suppliers, not Chrysler, would assume responsibility for running large sections of the factory, such as the body shop, where steel car frames are welded together by robots.

FORBES: Other people's money

Certainly more and more suppliers will leave the EU. There will be more robots and fewer workers in east European car plants in future.

ECONOMIST: Success on four wheels

Instead of a central engine each wheel is powered by "wheel robots", independent motors and suspension systems that would allow the car to maneuver in tight streets and even park sideways by turning 90 degrees.

CNN: Reinventing the wheel

Robots are getting better at co-operating with each other: in some car plants a big robot now lifts a small one inside the vehicle to assemble components.

ECONOMIST: Robots: Nothing to lose but their chains | The