Assembly Magazine logo
search
Ask ASSEMBLY AI
cart
facebook twitter linkedin youtube
  • Sign In
  • Create Account
  • Sign Out
  • My Account
Assembly Magazine logo
  • TRENDS
    • Ask ASSEMBLY AI
    • Trends
    • News
    • New Products
  • INDUSTRIES
    • Aerospace
    • Appliance
    • DFMA Assembly
    • Medical Devices
    • Green Manufacturing
    • Lean Manufacturing
    • Machinery Assembly
    • Electronics Assembly
    • Automotive
  • TECHNOLOGIES
    • Adhesives & Dispensing
    • Assembly Presses
    • Automated Assembly Systems
    • Manufacturing Management
    • Manufacturing Software
    • Motion Control
    • Screwdriving & Riveting
    • Robotics
    • Test & Inspection
    • Plastics & Metal Welding
    • Wire Processing
    • Workstations
  • AUTONOMOUS & ELECTRIC MOBILITY
    • AEM Magazine Archives
    • Autonomy
    • Electrification
    • Mobility Services
    • Assembly & Testing
    • AV/EM News
  • MEDIA
    • Ask ASSEMBLY AI
    • Podcasts
    • Assembly News Now
    • Assembly TV
    • Webinars
    • eBooks
  • EVENTS
    • Calendar
    • The ASSEMBLY Show
  • MORE
    • Exclusives >
      • Plant of the Year
      • Capital Spending
    • Buyers Guide >
      • Supplier Insights
    • Classifieds
    • Featured Products
    • Newsletters
    • Store
    • White Papers
    • Columns
    • Sponsor Insights
  • INFOCENTER
    • Assembly & Test Solutions
  • EMAGAZINE
    • eMagazine
    • Archive Issues
    • Advertise
    • Contact Us
    • Sign Up
IndustriesTechnologiesAutomotive AssemblyRobotics Assembly

Assembly Lines

BMW Conducts Successful Test of Humanoid Robots

By Austin Weber
humanoid robot
BMW

BMW recently conducted a test of humanoid robots in its body shop.

Photo courtesy BMW Group

September 11, 2024

SPARTANBURG, SC—BMW engineers recently conducted a test with humanoid robots at its assembly plant here. They used a Figure 02 machine made by FigureAI Inc.

The robot successfully inserted sheet metal parts into specific fixtures, which were then assembled as part of the chassis. It saved humans from having to perform ergonomically awkward and tiring tasks.

“The developments in the field of robotics are very promising,” says Milan Nedeljković, a member of the board of management for production at BMW AG. “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.”

During the trial run, BMW engineers focused on how to integrate multipurpose robots into an existing production system, including how humanoids communicate with it under real conditions.

“Figure 02 has significant technical advancements, which enable the robot to perform a wide range of complex tasks fully autonomously,” says Brett Adcock, CEO of FigureAI, who claims the machine 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. According to Adcock, the next-generation machine features three times the processing power of its predecessor, improved voice communication, and better cameras, microphones and sensors.

The robot is capable of fully autonomous execution of human-like, two-handed tasks requiring varied and dynamic manipulation, complex grasping and coordination of both hands in unison.

Looking for quick answers on assembly and manufacturing topics? Try Ask ASM, our new smart AI search tool. Ask ASM →

KEYWORDS: factory automation flexible assembly humanoid robot

Share This Story

Looking for a reprint of this article?
From high-res PDFs to custom plaques, order your copy today!

Austinweber headshot
Austin has been senior editor for ASSEMBLY Magazine since September 1999. He has more than 21 years of b-to-b publishing experience and has written about a wide variety of manufacturing and engineering topics. Austin is a graduate of the University of Michigan.

Recommended Content

JOIN TODAY
To unlock your recommendations.

Already have an account? Sign In

  • Made in the U.S.A.

    Consumer Products Manufacturing: Made in the USA

    Supply chain lessons learned during the coronavirus...
    Automated Assembly Systems
    By: Austin Weber
  • Best Practices for Press-Fit Assembly

    Best Practices for Press-Fit Assembly

    In manufacturing, ironclad formulas for success are hard...
    Assembly Presses
    By: Jim Camillo
  • aem0523leader-tesla1.jpg

    Tesla Rethinks the Assembly Line

    Engineers at Tesla Inc. have developed a new process that...
    Assembly and Testing
    By: Austin Weber
Manage My Account
  • eMagazine Subscription
  • Assembly Newsletters
  • Online Registration
  • Subscription Customer Service
  • Manage My Preferences

More Videos

Sponsored Content

Sponsored Content is a special paid section where industry companies provide high quality, objective, non-commercial content around topics of interest to the ASSEMBLY audience. All Sponsored Content is supplied by the advertising company and any opinions expressed in this article are those of the author and not necessarily reflect the views of ASSEMBLY or its parent company, BNP Media. Interested in participating in our Sponsored Content section? Contact your local rep!

close
  • ultrasonic welding
    Sponsored bySonobond Ultrasonics

    Engineering Efficiency in High-Performance Assembly: How Ultrasonic Welding Enhances Throughput, Reliability and Quality

  • UV curing system
    Sponsored byDymax

    Why UV Intensity Alone Doesn’t Define Curing Performance

  • wooden pallets
    Sponsored byLEAN Manufacturing Products

    Eliminating Waste on the Shop Floor: Applying Lean Principles to Improve Manufacturing Efficiency

Popular Stories

Ferrari

Ferrari Unveils Four-Door EV

ASSEMBLY News Now, episode-30: Volvo Redesigns EV Manufacturing

Volvo Redesigns EV Manufacturing

workstation

Knife Maker Redesigns Assembly Line

Watch the latest episode of ANN now!

Events

July 24, 2025

From Shop Floor to CFO: How Manufacturers Are Closing the Loop Between Operations and Finance

On Demand Learn how manufacturers are bridging the gap between the shop floor and ERP systems to gain real-time visibility, streamline operations, and kick-start digital transformation—without waiting years.

Sponsored by:

PicoStratusGreen
July 30, 2025

Buffer Analysis and Design Fundamentals for Manufacturing Excellence

On Demand In this presentation, Dr. Herman Tang shares practical insights from his industry experience and research on buffer management in manufacturing operations.

View All Submit An Event

Poll

Difficult Assembly Processes

Which assembly process gives you the most difficulty?
View Results Poll Archive

Products

Manufacturing Cost Policy Deployment (MCPD) Profitability Scenarios: Systematic and Systemic Improvement of Manufacturing Costs

Manufacturing Cost Policy Deployment (MCPD) Profitability Scenarios: Systematic and Systemic Improvement of Manufacturing Costs

See More Products
ebook

Related Articles

  • Schaeffler AG

    Schaeffler to Deploy Hundreds of Humanoid Robots

    See More
  • Atlas humanoid robot

    Boston Dynamics, Toyota Will Partner to Advance Development of Humanoid Robots

    See More
  • humanoid robot

    BMW to Deploy Humanoid Robots

    See More

Related Products

See More Products
  • gf test

  • smart.jpg

    Handbook of Smart Manufacturing Forecasting the Future of Industry 4.0

  • Contamination of Electronic Assemblies

See More Products
×

Never miss the latest news and trends driving the manufacturing industry

Stay in the know on the latest assembly trends.

JOIN TODAY!
  • RESOURCES
    • Advertise
    • Contact Us
    • Directories
    • Manufacturing Division
    • Store
    • Want More?
  • SIGN UP TODAY
    • Create Account
    • eMagazine
    • Newsletters
    • Customer Service
    • Manage Preferences
  • SERVICES
    • Marketing Services
    • Reprints
    • Market Research
    • List Rental
    • Survey/Respondent Access
  • STAY CONNECTED
    • LinkedIn
    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • YouTube
    • X (Twitter)
  • PRIVACY
    • PRIVACY POLICY
    • TERMS & CONDITIONS
    • DO NOT SELL MY PERSONAL INFORMATION
    • PRIVACY REQUEST
    • ACCESSIBILITY

Copyright ©2026. All Rights Reserved BNP Media, Inc. and BNP Media II, LLC.

Design, CMS, Hosting & Web Development :: ePublishing