BMW is exploring the use of humanoid robots in production for the first time.
During the latest trial at BMW’s Spartanburg plant in Germany, the latest humanoid robot from California company Figure was able to successfully insert sheet metal parts into specific fixtures, which were then assembled as part of the car chassis.
In order to complete this task a robot must be particularly dexterous.
Figure 02 is the world’s most advanced humanoid robot currently available on the market.
The combination of two-legged mobility and advanced dexterity means that Figure 02 is ideally suited for use in areas with physically demanding, unsafe, or repetitive processes, thereby improving ergonomics and safety for associates.
Figure 02 boasts three times the processing power of its predecessor, improved voice communication, better cameras, microphones, and sensors, a high-performance battery, and fourth-generation human-scale hands with 16 degrees of freedom per hand and human-equivalent strength.
The robot is capable of fully autonomous execution of human-like and two-handed tasks requiring varied and dynamic manipulation, complex grasping, and coordination of both hands in unison.
It is able place various complex parts with accuracy measured in millimetres and can walk dynamically leveraging efficiencies of the robot’s design.
BMW says a robot can save employees from having to perform ergonomically awkward and tiring tasks.
Together with Figure, it is currently testing and evaluating how humanoid robots can be used safely in automobile production.
During the trial run, BMW gained valuable knowledge of what requirements must be met in order to be able to integrate so-called multi-purpose robots in an existing production system.
This includes how humanoid robots communicate with the system under real conditions.
After the first use in automobile production, the experts are collaborating to prepare Figure for future applications in production and continuing to develop the robots, based on the findings.
Currently, there are no Figure AI robots at the Spartanburg plant and there is no definite timetable established for bringing Figure robots to the plant.
BMW Group will continue to work with Figure for data capturing and training capabilities for the Figure 02 robots.
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