Humanoid robot completes first industrial trial at BMW’s plant

As humanoid robots gradually make their way into manufacturing, BMW has pushed the envelope with a groundbreaking trial at its Spartanburg, South Carolina plant.

Robots have long been a staple on factory floors, with most people scarcely noticing their presence, Caliber.Az reports citing the foreign media.

Traditionally, these robots have been simple mechanical arms or basic hardware. However, the future promises a new era where humanoid robots—complete with legs, arms, and heads—will become as common as their mechanical counterparts on assembly lines.

Several companies are leading the charge in developing these advanced humanoid robots. Among the most notable is Atlas, developed by Boston Dynamics, the same company behind the renowned robot dog. The latest version of Atlas, unveiled in April, represents a significant leap toward a more human-like form, supported by South Korean automotive giant Hyundai. This new iteration is set to address various industrial needs.

Phoenix, created by Canadian startup Sanctuary Cognitive Systems Corporation (Sanctuary AI), is another cutting-edge example. The sixth version of Phoenix, introduced in May, features an AI brain named Carbon that provides it with memory and sensory capabilities—sight, hearing, and touch. Previous versions have already been tested on factory floors, with the goal of enhancing and securing human labor.

Lastly, Apollo is an innovative humanoid robot from German automaker Mercedes-Benz, developed by Apptronik. Announced in March, Apollo is expected to be trialed for logistics and assembly kit delivery, marking another step forward in integrating humanoid robots into practical applications.

Until the Apollo robot makes its debut with Mercedes-Benz, BMW has already showcased the capabilities of humanoid robots in a production setting. At its Spartanburg, South Carolina facility, BMW tested Figure 02, a humanoid robot developed by a California startup known for its focus on creating general-purpose robots that benefit humanity.

Figure 02, the latest version of the company's flagship model, stands 5'6" (167 cm) tall and weighs 154 pounds (70 kg). It boasts a humanoid design with two legs, two arms, and a head, and is powered by an undisclosed electric system providing about five hours of autonomy. With a top walking speed of 2.7 mph (4.3 kph), it is equipped with advanced features including voice communication, cameras, microphones, and sensors. Its human-scale hands have 16 degrees of freedom per hand, allowing for precise, two-handed tasks.

During its trial at BMW’s Spartanburg facility, Figure 02 demonstrated its ability to handle complex manufacturing tasks with remarkable accuracy, such as placing sheet metal parts into fixtures for vehicle assembly. Although BMW has not specified which models benefited from Figure 02's involvement, the company highlights this trial as a pioneering use of humanoid robots in automotive production.

The trial has concluded, and Figure 02 is no longer in the factory. However, BMW has gained valuable insights that could shape future applications of humanoid robots, particularly in tasks that are ergonomically challenging, physically demanding, unsafe, or repetitive. Figure's creators proudly describe Figure 02 as "the world’s most advanced humanoid robot" and "the world’s first commercially viable autonomous humanoid robot," though significant development remains before such robots become a regular fixture in factories.