BMW’s South Carolina plant is testing humanoid robot workers

Robotics startup Figure has entered into a commercial agreement with BMW to introduce its general-purpose humanoid robots to BMW’s manufacturing facility in Spartanburg, South Carolina, with the intention of automating difficult, unsafe, or tedious manufacturing tasks.

Figure’s CEO, Brett Adcock, believes that general-purpose robotics have untapped potential and can help companies increase productivity, reduce costs, and create a safer and more consistent environment.

The partnership between Figure and BMW will start with small quantities of humanoid robots at the facility, with the potential for increased deployment if performance targets are met. The integration of the robots into BMW’s manufacturing processes could take anywhere from 12–24 months.