BMW Tests Humanoid Robots In Production At Spartanburg Plant

The BMW Group is exploring the potential of humanoid robots in automotive production, marking a significant step in the integration of advanced robotics into industrial settings. During a multi-week trial at the BMW Group Plant Spartanburg in South Carolina, the company tested the capabilities of Figure 02, the latest humanoid robot developed by California-based robotics firm Figure. This trial represents the first time the BMW Group has utilised humanoid robots in its production process.

“The developments in the field of robotics are very promising. With an early test operation, we are now determining possible applications for humanoid robots in production. We want to accompany this technology from development to industrialization,” says Milan Nedeljković, Member of the Board of Management for Production at BMW AG.

The trial focused on the robot’s ability to insert sheet metal parts into specific fixtures, a task requiring a high degree of dexterity and precision. These components were subsequently assembled into the chassis of the vehicles. The use of humanoid robots in such processes is aimed at reducing the physical strain on human workers by taking over ergonomically challenging and repetitive tasks.

The trial run has provided BMW with critical insights into the requirements for integrating humanoid robots into existing production systems. This includes understanding how these robots communicate with the overall production system under real-world conditions. The collaboration between BMW Group and Figure is ongoing, with the aim of refining and adapting the Figure 02 robots for future use in the automotive industry.

Figure 02, according to Brett Adcock, Founder and CEO of Figure, represents the cutting edge of humanoid robotics. “We are excited to unveil Figure 02, our second-generation humanoid robot, which recently completed successful testing at the BMW Group Plant Spartanburg. Figure 02 has significant technical advancements, which enable the robot to perform a wide range of complex tasks fully autonomously,” Adcock stated.

The Figure 02 robot features significant improvements over its predecessor, including three times the processing power, enhanced voice communication, and advanced sensory capabilities. It is equipped with a high-performance battery and fourth-generation human-scale hands, which offer 16 degrees of freedom per hand, enabling complex, human-like manipulation tasks. The robot’s design allows it to execute dynamic, two-handed tasks with precision and efficiency, making it suitable for use in environments that involve physically demanding, unsafe, or repetitive tasks.

Despite the successful trial, BMW Group has not yet introduced Figure AI robots into its regular production processes at the Spartanburg plant, and there is currently no set timetable for their full deployment. The ongoing collaboration between BMW and Figure will focus on further data collection and training to optimize the robots for future industrial applications.

As part of its BMW iFACTORY initiative, which envisions the future of production with an emphasis on efficiency, digitalisation, and sustainability, the BMW Group continues to explore new technologies. The introduction of humanoid robots like Figure 02 is seen as a potential avenue for enhancing production processes while improving workplace ergonomics and safety for human employees.