Weight: 70 kilograms. Height: approximately 170 cm. Load capacity: 20 kilograms. The Figure 02, a cutting-edge humanoid robot developed by the California-based company Figure, is currently undergoing successful trials at BMW Group’s Plant Spartanburg in South Carolina, USA. The robot is being tested in a live production environment.
A Glimpse into the Future of Production
This marks the first time BMW Group has incorporated humanoid robots into its production processes, with the Figure 02 being at the heart of the trials.
Milan Nedeljković, Board Member for Production at BMW AG, explained, “Through these early test operations, we are exploring potential applications for humanoid robots in production. Our goal is to support this technology from its development to its industrial rollout.”
Brett Adcock, founder and CEO of Figure, remarked, “The Figure 02 is the most advanced humanoid robot available on the market today. It has already proven its capabilities in placing sheet metal parts into specialized fixtures. Later in the production process, these components are assembled into body parts. During tests, the robot demonstrated exceptional tactile sensitivity.”
The Figure 02 robot is designed to place sheet metal parts into specific fixtures with high precision.
Advancements in Technology
Compared to its predecessor, the Figure 02 offers three times the computing power and enhanced voice communication capabilities. Equipped with advanced cameras, microphones, and sensors, the robot also features a stronger battery. Its fourth-generation hands, the size of an average human hand, offer 16 active degrees of freedom per hand, allowing for human-like strength and dexterity.
The robot is capable of autonomously performing a wide range of tasks that require precision, dynamic manipulation, complex gripping, and two-handed coordination. It can accurately position difficult components down to the millimeter and move with flexibility, optimizing its design for maximum efficiency.
The Figure 02 is also designed to assist plant workers by performing ergonomically challenging and physically demanding tasks, reducing strain on employees. The safety of humanoid robots in automotive production continues to be carefully monitored.
A Step Toward the BMW iFACTORY
The BMW iFACTORY represents the company’s vision for the future of manufacturing, serving as an ongoing testing ground for new technologies, with a focus on efficiency, digitalization, and sustainability. The trial operations involving humanoid robots have provided crucial insights into how multi-purpose robots can be successfully integrated into existing production systems. This includes understanding how the robots can effectively communicate with the production systems during real-world operations.
With the initial trials now complete, experts from Figure and the BMW Group are analyzing the results to refine future production processes and further improve the robots for broader applications.
