Humanoid robots, once the stuff of science fiction, are beginning to find their place in the real world, especially within the automotive industry. This isn’t just a vision of the future anymore; it's happening now. Among the trailblazers is Figure, a California-based robotics company that has recently stepped into the limelight with its innovative general-purpose humanoid robots, now collaborating with BMW in South Carolina.
It all started in January 2024 when Figure inked its first commercial agreement with BMW to deploy its 01 humanoid robot in the German carmaker’s Spartanburg, South Carolina production facility. This deal marks a significant milestone in the journey of humanoid robotics, and it’s just the beginning.
The latest development has arrived in the form of a video released by Figure showcasing its 01 model robot participating in the vehicle assembly process. The robot, initially known for its barista skills, has now taken on a more complex role – a testament to the rapid advancements in robotics technology. The transformation from serving coffee to assembling cars is indeed a leap that few anticipated would happen so soon.
Figure’s robots are powered by advanced neural networks capable of mapping pixels to actions, which essentially means these robots can learn by watching human actions on video. This capability was prominently displayed when a Figure robot learned to make coffee autonomously after watching video demonstrations. Brett Adcock, Figure’s Founder and CEO, referred to this as their "ChatGPT moment," highlighting the robot's ability to independently figure out complex tasks.
BMW’s choice to collaborate with Figure isn't surprising considering the car manufacturer's long history of integrating advanced robotics into their production processes. The Spartanburg plant has employed numerous robotics solutions over the years, but until now, these were typically task-specific robots rather than general-purpose humanoid robots. “We met the [BMW] team about nine months ago,” Adcock explained. “They’ve integrated a lot of robotics into that plant. They wanted us to help solve further automation issues with more dextrous and mobile manipulation.”
The initial deployment entails training the robots in Figure’s labs to undertake specific factory tasks like body shop work and warehouse logistics. These tasks might not seem glamorous, but they are vital for improving efficiency and productivity. Once the robots are proficient, they will begin staged deployments at BMW’s facility. The ultimate goal is to relieve human workers from unsafe, tedious, or repetitive tasks, allowing them to focus on high-skill jobs that require a human touch.
One of the intriguing aspects of this collaboration is BMW’s openness to leveraging humanoid robots for roles traditionally handled by humans. Unlike past endeavors where robots were confined to specific actions, Figure’s humanoids are designed to be versatile, mobile, and capable of dynamic decision-making. This flexibility marks a significant shift in how we perceive the role of robots in industrial settings.
The potential benefits of integrating humanoid robots into manufacturing environments are manifold. They promise to enhance productivity, reduce operational costs, and ensure a safer work environment by taking over dangerous tasks. Moreover, by enabling human workers to concentrate on more complex and creative aspects of production, robots could significantly reshape the future workforce’s landscape.
However, with progress comes challenges. Training these robots to perform human-like tasks reliably is no small feat. "We have to make sure the robots do well," Adcock noted, implying that the robots must reach specific milestones before being fully integrated into the production process. This controlled deployment approach ensures that each step is carefully monitored and refined, setting a pathway for the gradual scaling up of robot numbers.
The integration of humanoid robots in BMW’s Spartanburg plant is more than a technological advancement – it sets a precedent. As Adcock enthusiastically pointed out, “This year’s gonna be fun!” For now, the key takeaway is that the blending of human ingenuity and robotic precision is becoming tangible, laying the groundwork for the next industrial revolution.