JLR’s Rudy the Robot will be hard at work this Christmas in Gaydon

Its automated ‘Rudy the Robot’ will open and close vehicle doors 14,000 times in temperatures of -40C to 82C degrees, to replicate a lifetime use on vehicles from the Range Rover, Defender, Discovery and Jaguar brands, within a £2.1m chamber in JLR’s Gaydon Engineering Centre.

The robot analyses the sound and vibrations of the closure of the doors, as well as the panel alignment and the rigidity of hinges and locking mechanisms.

JLR has invested in robots as part of its vehicle component testing programme, and as part of its wider £18 billion ‘Reimagine’ strategy. Other testing facilities at Gaydon include vehicle simulators, cold weather climate chambers, and a semi-anechoic chamber.

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“Rudy is just one of our vital robots representing our rigorous vehicle component testing programme, which is dedicated to evaluating vehicle parts in the most extreme conditions over a simulated lifetime of usage,” said Thomas Mueller, executive director of product engineering at JLR. “This helps to ensure their durability and gives our clients the quality levels expected of a modern luxury brand.”

Thomas Love, component and system test manager, JLR said: “A door is the first attribute of a vehicle which a client engages with, so it is vital we ensure that this experience reflects our modern luxury standards.

“From the way the door handle deploys in cold and hot temperatures, to the sound of the door closing, it is vital that every element of our vehicles’ doors remain refined and dependable throughout a lifetime of usage.”