Key Points
- BMW announces a partnership with startup Figure to integrate humanoid robots into its Spartanburg, South Carolina manufacturing facility.
- The collaboration marks Figure’s first commercial deal, aiming to enhance efficiency and safety in automotive production.
- This move reflects a growing industry trend towards versatile, AI-powered humanoid robots in automotive manufacturing.
In a significant development within the automotive and robotics industries, BMW Manufacturing has announced a significant partnership with the robotics startup Figure. This collaboration is set to introduce humanoid robots into BMW’s U.S. manufacturing facility, signaling a new era of technological integration in automotive production.
Founded in 2022, Figure has quickly risen as a notable player in the robotics field. The deal with BMW marks the startup’s first commercial venture. While the specifics on the number of robots to be deployed remain undisclosed, Figure’s CEO, Brett Adcock, revealed that the partnership would commence with a modest number and would scale up contingent on the achievement of predetermined performance benchmarks.
The integration of Figure’s humanoid robots will take place in BMW’s Spartanburg, South Carolina facility, the largest automotive exporter in the United States, employing over 11,000 individuals. These robots will be assimilated into various manufacturing segments, including body shop operations, sheet metal handling, and warehouse tasks, over the next 12 to 24 months. A critical aspect of these robots is their design, which prioritizes safe operation alongside human workers.
This strategic move by BMW is indicative of a broader trend in the automotive industry where companies are increasingly turning to humanoid robots for executing repetitive and hazardous tasks. This trend isn’t exclusive to BMW; other automotive giants like Honda and Hyundai have also been exploring similar technologies. Notably, Tesla, led by Elon Musk, has been a prominent advocate for the use of humanoid robots, with its recent unveiling of the Optimus Gen 2 robot. Musk has even predicted the prevalence of a billion humanoid robots globally by the 2040s.
The shift towards general-purpose humanoid robots, equipped with AI-powered software, is gaining momentum. These robots, unlike their predecessors designed for specific tasks, possess the versatility to perform a wide range of actions and adapt to new tasks, akin to human capabilities. The practical viability of such flexible robots in real-world settings, however, remains a subject of interest and scrutiny.
Based in Sunnyvale, California, Figure has made significant strides in the robotics domain, securing $70 million in funding last year. This investment, led by Parkway Venture, has propelled the company’s valuation to over $400 million.
BMW’s partnership with Figure not only marks a significant milestone for the robotics startup but also sets a new benchmark in the automotive industry’s adoption of advanced robotics. This collaboration may well herald a new chapter in automotive manufacturing, where human and robotic efficiencies are harmoniously integrated for enhanced productivity and safety.
