BMW Looks into Putting Humanoid Robots on the Assembly Line
BMW has entered into an unprecedented deal with California-based company Figure, introducing autonomous humanoid robots to its manufacturing plants, starting in Spartanburg, South Carolina. These robots, standing at 5’6″ and weighing 130 pounds, bring a new dimension to the automotive assembly process, with potential implications for the labor market.
While robots have been integral to auto assembly lines for years, this marks the first instance of humanoid robots taking on manufacturing roles. Figure’s CEO, Brett Adcock, emphasized the significance of this development, stating, “I think the next 24 months you’ll start seeing humanoid robots in the real world.”
The agreement between Figure and BMW outlines a “milestone-based approach” for the deployment of humanoid robots in an automotive manufacturing environment. The initial phase involves identifying use cases for the robots in automotive production, followed by a staged deployment at BMW’s Spartanburg facility.
Adcock highlighted the versatility of these robots, asserting that they “can do basically everything a human can.” The collaboration between BMW and Figure will also delve into advanced technology topics such as artificial intelligence, robot control, manufacturing virtualization, and robot integration.
Robert Engelhorn, president and CEO of BMW Manufacturing, sees this development as part of the rapid evolution of car production. He stated, “Robots have the potential to make productivity more efficient and enable our team to focus on the transformation ahead of us.”
Automakers, facing rising labor costs, have been exploring ways to leverage automation. The UAW secured historic labor agreements last fall, leading companies like Ford to eye automation as a means to cover costs. However, the integration of robots comes with its own challenges, balancing efficiency with the ability to perform tasks requiring human judgment.
Humanoid robots capable of walking and using their hands are technologically challenging to develop, with only a handful of companies succeeding in this space. Agility Robotics, Apptronik, Tesla’s Optimus, and Boston Dynamics’ Atlas are among the notable players, each contributing to the evolving landscape of humanoid robotics.
Information for this story was found via Axios and the sources mentioned. The author has no securities or affiliations related to the organizations discussed. Not a recommendation to buy or sell. Always do additional research and consult a professional before purchasing a security. The author holds no licenses.
