The BMW Group is taking a big step into the future of automotive production by successfully testing humanoid robots at their Spartanburg plant in South Carolina. In partnership with the California-based robotics company Figure, BMW evaluated the potential of these advanced robots in performing complex tasks that are typically labour-intensive for human workers.
A New Era of Robotics in Production
The robots, known as Figure 02, are the latest creation from Figure AI. Over several weeks, the Figure 02 robots were put to the test in a real production environment, where they demonstrated their ability to handle intricate tasks. Specifically, the robots successfully inserted sheet metal parts into fixtures as part of the vehicle chassis assembly process—a task requiring a high degree of precision and dexterity.
“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,”
Milan Nedeljković, Member of the Board of Management for Production at BMW AG.
Advanced Capabilities of Figure 02
Figure 02 stands out as the world’s most advanced humanoid robot, according to Figure AI. The robot’s design allows it to perform human-like tasks with high autonomy, leveraging two-legged mobility and advanced dexterity. This makes it particularly well-suited for tasks that are physically demanding, repetitive, or potentially unsafe for human workers.
Key features of Figure 02 include:
- Three times the processing power compared to its predecessor.
- Enhanced sensory and communication systems with improved cameras, microphones, and voice capabilities.
- A high-performance battery and fourth-generation human-scale hands with 16 degrees of freedom per hand, offering human-equivalent strength.
- Precision and coordination abilities that allow the robot to manipulate complex parts with millimetre accuracy.
Implications for the Future
The trial at Spartanburg provided valuable insights into the requirements for integrating humanoid robots into existing production systems. While there are currently no plans to deploy these robots full-time at the plant, the successful trial marks an important step toward the future. BMW and Figure will continue collaborating to refine the robots based on the findings from this trial, focusing on safe and efficient integration into production environments.
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