- BMW is testing humanoid robots
BMW deploys human-like robots in car production for the first time. In the Spartanburg, U.S. plant, the humanoid robot Figure 02 successfully placed body parts in a multi-week trial run in a real production environment. Production board member Milan Nedeljković said: "The developments in robotics are promising. With an early trial operation, we are now exploring the possibilities of humanoid robots in production."
For the relevant production step, BMW requires a particularly tactile ability. The two-legged robot Figure 02 can walk and skillfully place various complex parts with millimeter precision using two human-sized hands. It is well-suited for physically demanding, tiring, or even unsafe tasks. BMW and the California-based robot manufacturer Figure are now preparing and further developing it for future deployments.
Video of the robot's work in body construction
The European Union could potentially regulate the use of humanoid robots in automotive production, given their increasing deployment in factories. BMW, being a part of the global automotive industry, is seeking to leverage the capabilities of Figure 02, developed by Figure, in its European production facilities.
