Robots have been utilized in car manufacturing for decades, but in the future, humanoid robots capable of learning on the job using artificial intelligence might soon enter factories.
A number of companies are striving to make this future a reality, including Tesla, which unveiled a humanoid robot named Optimus in 2021. Another company is Figure, a California startup whose latest 02 humanoid robot recently completed a successful test program at BMW's Spartanburg plant in South Carolina. The company had previously demonstrated an earlier model, the 01 robot, used for training purposes. The 02 boasts enhanced computing power, superior cameras and sensors, and improved maneuverability.
BMW announced that the Figure 02 completed a trial that lasted several weeks at the Spartanburg plant. Among the tasks it performed was inserting sheet metal parts into specific fixtures, which were then assembled as part of a vehicle chassis. According to BMW, the robot needed to exhibit considerable dexterity to accomplish this production step.
Although the tasks being tested are quite basic, such low-skill, repetitive, and physically demanding work is ideal for AI-powered robots like the 02. The robot employs neural networks to learn and refine various tasks, and it could potentially perform similar tasks in the future without the need for explicit programming.
Since the robots are designed to operate in environments originally built for humans, companies can deploy them without incurring costly factory redesigns. Furthermore, Figure's 02 model incorporates AI-driven language models, facilitating more natural interactions with its human coworkers.
BMW stated that the results are promising and that it is currently considering potential applications for humanoid robots in production. However, the automaker has not indicated when the first robots will start working at one of its car plants or whether they will replace any human workers.
In March, Mercedes-Benz signed an agreement with rival robotics startup Apptronik, which is developing a robot known as Apollo, though the automaker has not disclosed whether it has tested any of the robots at its plants.
