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| BMW Group and Figure Unveil Groundbreaking Collaboration with Humanoid Robots for Enhanced Production Efficiency and Safety Image credit: Electric Car Report |
The BMW Group is pioneering the integration of humanoid robots into their production processes. In collaboration with California-based company Figure, BMW has been exploring this innovative technology for the first time.
Trial Run at BMW Group Plant Spartanburg
During a multi-week trial at the BMW Group Plant Spartanburg, Figure’s latest humanoid robot, Figure 02, successfully inserted sheet metal parts into specific fixtures for chassis assembly. A video released by Figure showcases this trial run, emphasizing the robot’s precision and dexterity.
Advantages of Humanoid Robots for Employees
By utilizing humanoid robots, BMW aims to relieve employees from ergonomically challenging and physically tiring tasks. This move enhances workplace safety and efficiency, allowing human workers to focus on less strenuous duties.
BMW’s Vision for Future Production Technologies
With the BMW iFACTORY vision, the company continuously seeks new technologies to enhance production efficiency, digitalization, and sustainability. The trial run with Figure 02 provided valuable insights into integrating multi-purpose robots into existing production systems and understanding how they communicate under real conditions.
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| Figure 02 Image credit: IEEE Spectrum |
Technical Advancements of Figure 02
Figure 02 is lauded as the world’s most advanced humanoid robot, featuring significant technical enhancements. It boasts three times the processing power of its predecessor, advanced voice communication, high-performance cameras, microphones, sensors, a robust battery, and human-scale hands with 16 degrees of freedom and human-equivalent strength. These capabilities enable Figure 02 to perform a wide range of complex, autonomous tasks with millimeter precision and dynamic mobility.
Future Collaboration and Development Plans
Although no Figure AI robots are currently stationed at BMW Group Plant Spartanburg, BMW will continue collaborating with Figure to capture data and enhance the training capabilities of the Figure 02 robots. There is no definitive timetable for their deployment, but ongoing development aims to refine these robots for future production applications.
Key Quote:
“We are excited to unveil Figure 02, our second-generation humanoid robot, which recently completed successful testing at the BMW Group Plant Spartanburg. Figure 02 has significant technical advancements, which enable the robot to perform a wide range of complex tasks fully autonomously,” says Brett Adcock, Founder and CEO of Figure.
Additional Quote:
“The developments in the field of robotics are very promising. With an early test operation, we are now determining possible applications for humanoid robots in production. We want to accompany this technology from development to industrialization,” says Milan Nedeljković, Member of the Board of Management for Production at BMW AG.
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