Click for more Star Wars, err Car Wars.
BMW Group (XETRA: BMWG.DE)* said today that is increasing the use of digitalization and the use of artificial intelligence (AI) in production. With so-called Physical AI [Connecting digital AI with real machines and robots – Autocrat.] intelligent systems such as humanoid robots can be integrated into real production processes. Following a successful deployment with a humanoid robot dubbed Figure 02 [R2-D2 was smarter and more lovable – AutoCrat.] at BMW Group Plant Spartanburg in the U.S., a more developed successor, Figure 03, will now start working on sequencing applications in logistics.
“Plant Spartanburg is the birthplace of humanoid robotics in BMW Manufacturing’s operational day-to-day activities,” said Ulrich Wieland, Vice President of Production Control and Logistics, BMW Manufacturing. “Having already successfully completed a pilot with Figure 02 in our body shop, we are now looking forward to deploying Figure 03 for a sequencing use case in logistics.”
“The 03 robot introduces several new features for expanded applications. These include soft components designed for enhanced safety, wireless charging designed for higher availability and audio functions for speech-to-speech communication, along with improved hands with tactile sensors and palm cameras designed to increase precision and dexterity,” said Brett Adcock, Founder & CEO of Figure AI.
The BMW Group has experience with humanoid robotics at Plant Spartanburg. Starting in 2025 working with the technology company Figure AI, the Figure 02 robot supported the production of more than 30,000 BMW X3 vehicles during a ten month period. In the body shop, the robot inserted sheet-metal parts for the welding process, “a task that demands high speed and accuracy and can be physically demanding,” BMW said in a release. [BMW has not directly invested in Figure, but it was the firm’s first commercial customer – AutoCrat.]
“Our 11-month deployment of Figure 02 proved that humanoids are no longer lab experiments – they can be a valuable asset in establishing a flexible, reliable manufacturing workforce,” said Adcock. “We are excited to continue our work in Spartanburg as Figure tackles the complexity of the assembly and logistics hall.”
*AutoInformed on
About Ken Zino
Ken Zino, editor and publisher of AutoInformed, is a versatile auto industry participant with global experience spanning decades in print and broadcast journalism, as well as social media. He has automobile testing, marketing, public relations and communications experience. He is past president of The International Motor Press Assn, the Detroit Press Club, founding member and first President of the Automotive Press Assn. He is a member of APA, IMPA and the Midwest Automotive Press Assn.
He also brings an historical perspective while citing their contemporary relevance of the work of legendary auto writers such as Ken Purdy, Jim Dunne or Jerry Flint, or writers such as Red Smith, Mark Twain, Thomas Jefferson – all to bring perspective to a chaotic automotive universe.
Above all, decades after he first drove a car, Zino still revels in the sound of the exhaust as the throttle is blipped during a downshift and the driver’s rush that occurs when the entry, apex and exit points of a turn are smoothly and swiftly crossed. It’s the beginning of a perfect lap.
AutoInformed has an editorial philosophy that loves transportation machines of all kinds while promoting critical thinking about the future use of cars and trucks.
Zino builds AutoInformed from his background in automotive journalism starting at Hearst Publishing in New York City on Motor and MotorTech Magazines and car testing where he reviewed hundreds of vehicles in his decade-long stint as the Detroit Bureau Chief of Road & Track magazine. Zino has also worked in Europe, and Asia – now the largest automotive market in the world with China at its center.
BMW Expands Factory Use of Humanoid Robots
Click for more Star Wars, err Car Wars.
BMW Group (XETRA: BMWG.DE)* said today that is increasing the use of digitalization and the use of artificial intelligence (AI) in production. With so-called Physical AI [Connecting digital AI with real machines and robots – Autocrat.] intelligent systems such as humanoid robots can be integrated into real production processes. Following a successful deployment with a humanoid robot dubbed Figure 02 [R2-D2 was smarter and more lovable – AutoCrat.] at BMW Group Plant Spartanburg in the U.S., a more developed successor, Figure 03, will now start working on sequencing applications in logistics.
“Plant Spartanburg is the birthplace of humanoid robotics in BMW Manufacturing’s operational day-to-day activities,” said Ulrich Wieland, Vice President of Production Control and Logistics, BMW Manufacturing. “Having already successfully completed a pilot with Figure 02 in our body shop, we are now looking forward to deploying Figure 03 for a sequencing use case in logistics.”
“The 03 robot introduces several new features for expanded applications. These include soft components designed for enhanced safety, wireless charging designed for higher availability and audio functions for speech-to-speech communication, along with improved hands with tactile sensors and palm cameras designed to increase precision and dexterity,” said Brett Adcock, Founder & CEO of Figure AI.
The BMW Group has experience with humanoid robotics at Plant Spartanburg. Starting in 2025 working with the technology company Figure AI, the Figure 02 robot supported the production of more than 30,000 BMW X3 vehicles during a ten month period. In the body shop, the robot inserted sheet-metal parts for the welding process, “a task that demands high speed and accuracy and can be physically demanding,” BMW said in a release. [BMW has not directly invested in Figure, but it was the firm’s first commercial customer – AutoCrat.]
“Our 11-month deployment of Figure 02 proved that humanoids are no longer lab experiments – they can be a valuable asset in establishing a flexible, reliable manufacturing workforce,” said Adcock. “We are excited to continue our work in Spartanburg as Figure tackles the complexity of the assembly and logistics hall.”
*AutoInformed on
About Ken Zino
Ken Zino, editor and publisher of AutoInformed, is a versatile auto industry participant with global experience spanning decades in print and broadcast journalism, as well as social media. He has automobile testing, marketing, public relations and communications experience. He is past president of The International Motor Press Assn, the Detroit Press Club, founding member and first President of the Automotive Press Assn. He is a member of APA, IMPA and the Midwest Automotive Press Assn. He also brings an historical perspective while citing their contemporary relevance of the work of legendary auto writers such as Ken Purdy, Jim Dunne or Jerry Flint, or writers such as Red Smith, Mark Twain, Thomas Jefferson – all to bring perspective to a chaotic automotive universe. Above all, decades after he first drove a car, Zino still revels in the sound of the exhaust as the throttle is blipped during a downshift and the driver’s rush that occurs when the entry, apex and exit points of a turn are smoothly and swiftly crossed. It’s the beginning of a perfect lap. AutoInformed has an editorial philosophy that loves transportation machines of all kinds while promoting critical thinking about the future use of cars and trucks. Zino builds AutoInformed from his background in automotive journalism starting at Hearst Publishing in New York City on Motor and MotorTech Magazines and car testing where he reviewed hundreds of vehicles in his decade-long stint as the Detroit Bureau Chief of Road & Track magazine. Zino has also worked in Europe, and Asia – now the largest automotive market in the world with China at its center.