The BMW Group has successfully completed a trial run of a humanoid robot at BMW's Spartanburg plant in South Carolina, USA.
The humanoid robot trial was conducted over a two-week period by the BMW Group in collaboration with California, USA-based robotics start-up Figure. Figure's latest AI-powered humanoid robot, Figure 02, was deployed in the body-building process at the BMW Group's Spartanburg plant to move metal parts for the car body to their correct position in the facility.
Thanks to its human-like level of two-handed coordination and efficient design, Figure 02 was able to position parts with millimetre accuracy and move on two legs, and the BMW Group is actively considering the use of humanoid robots in future vehicle production. This is because robots can be used to protect employees from ergonomically uncomfortable movements and fatiguing tasks.
"With these initial trials, the BMW Group is examining which areas of production can be served by humanoid robots," said Milan Nedeljkovic, Member of the Board of Management for Production at the BMW Group. "We want to be part of the process of moving technologies from development to industrialisation in the field of robotics, which has a lot of potential for further development."
The BMW Group has now withdrawn the humanoid robot from production following the trial and will work with Figuarts on improvements for future applications based on the results of the trial.
Meanwhile, the BMW Group is constantly exploring new technologies under its 'BMW iFACTORY' strategy, which outlines its vision for future vehicle production.
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