A robotic roller hemming apparatus for hemming an upturned edge of an outer metal panel over a peripheral edge of an inner panel superimposed on the outer panel adjacent the upturned edge includes a hemming roller having a peripheral surface. The peripheral surface includes a hemming portion for pressing the upturned edge of the outer panel and a follower portion juxtaposed the hemming portion. The hemming apparatus also includes a robot hand and a lower die. The robot hand rotatably supports the hemming roller and controls the hemming roller in the direction of motion of the hemming. The lower die has a hemming surface for supporting the outer metal panel thereon and a two dimensional guide for guiding the hemming roller along two axes relative to the hemming motion, thereby maintaining axial positioning of the hemming roller independent of the robot hand.