Successful Test of Humanoid Robots at BMW Group Plant Spartanburg
The BMW Group is breaking new ground in automotive production by testing humanoid robots at its Plant Spartanburg in collaboration with the California-based robotics company, Figure. This initiative marks the first time the BMW Group has explored the use of humanoid robots in production, aiming to enhance efficiency, safety, and ergonomics.
During a multi-week trial, the latest humanoid robot, Figure 02, successfully operated in a real production environment at BMW Group Plant Spartanburg. This advanced robot adeptly inserted sheet metal parts into specific fixtures, a critical step in chassis assembly. The robot’s dexterity was a key factor in its ability to perform these tasks effectively.
Enhancing Production Efficiency and Safety
The introduction of humanoid robots in production processes can significantly improve working conditions by relieving human employees from ergonomically challenging and repetitive tasks. By collaborating with Figure, the BMW Group is meticulously evaluating the potential applications and safety of humanoid robots in automobile production. This initiative aligns with BMW's vision of a future-oriented production strategy known as the BMW iFACTORY, which focuses on efficiency, digitalization, and sustainability.
Milan Nedeljkovi?, Member of the Board of Management for Production at BMW AG, emphasized the significance of this development, stating, “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.”
Advanced Technology of Figure 02
Figure 02 represents a significant leap in robotics technology, designed to handle a wide range of complex tasks autonomously. Brett Adcock, Founder and CEO of Figure, highlighted the capabilities of Figure 02, stating, “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.”
Key Features of Figure 02
- Enhanced Processing Power: Figure 02 features three times the processing power of its predecessor, enabling it to perform more complex tasks with greater efficiency.
- Advanced Mobility and Dexterity: With two-legged mobility and advanced dexterity, Figure 02 can handle physically demanding, unsafe, or repetitive tasks, improving ergonomics and safety.
- Improved Communication and Sensory Capabilities: The robot boasts better voice communication, cameras, microphones, sensors, and a high-performance battery.
- Sophisticated Hand Design: The fourth-generation human-scale hands have 16 degrees of freedom per hand and human-equivalent strength, allowing for precise and coordinated movements.
- Autonomous Operation: Capable of executing human-like and two-handed tasks autonomously, Figure 02 can handle complex grasping and manipulation with millimeter-level accuracy.
Future Prospects
Although no Figure AI robots are currently operational at BMW Group Plant Spartanburg, the collaboration between BMW Group and Figure will continue to evolve. The partnership aims to capture valuable data and further develop the Figure 02 robots for future applications in production.
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