Can a humanoid robot handle complex factory logistics alongside workers while improving manufacturing flexibility? The deployment demonstrates that capability.
BMW Group has deployed the Figure 03 humanoid robot at its Spartanburg manufacturing plant in South Carolina, expanding the use of Physical AI in automotive production. Rather than replacing assembly line workers, the robot has been assigned to logistics operations where it sequences vehicle components before they reach the production line. The deployment follows an earlier production trial with Figure 02, which supported the manufacture of more than 30,000 BMW X3 vehicles over an 11 month period.
Automotive logistics involves handling thousands of parts that often arrive without a fixed order. The humanoid robot identifies individual components, picks them from containers, and places them into sequencing trolleys so they reach assembly stations in the correct order. Unlike conventional industrial robots that remain confined to fixed work cells, it is designed to move within spaces built for people, allowing it to adapt to changing production conditions and work alongside human operators. The prepared trolleys are then transported using automated transport systems to maintain a continuous production flow.
The latest platform introduces several hardware improvements, including redesigned hands with tactile sensors and integrated palm cameras for more precise object handling. It also supports wireless charging, speech based interaction with workers, and softer exterior materials to improve safety in shared workspaces. Powered by Physical AI, the robot can perceive its surroundings, adapt to changing environments, and perform a wider variety of tasks than traditional robotic arms programmed for repetitive movements.
The deployment forms part of BMW’s broader effort to combine automation, artificial intelligence, and digital manufacturing technologies to improve production efficiency and workplace ergonomics.
Ulrich Wieland, Vice President of Production Control and Logistics, BMW Manufacturing, says, “Plant Spartanburg is the birthplace of humanoid robotics in BMW Manufacturing’s operational day-to-day activities. Having already successfully completed a pilot with Figure 02 in our body shop, we are now looking forward to deploying Figure 03 for a sequencing use case in logistics.”
