BMW tests humanoid robots in EV assembly

BMW is expanding trials of AI-powered humanoid robots from a Spartanburg pilot to production testing in its Leipzig EV factory, and it is introducing Hexagon Robotics' AEON machines alongside earlier Figure 02 robots.

BMW is moving humanoid robots from pilot projects into live vehicle assembly. The company has expanded testing from a pilot in Spartanburg, South Carolina, to production trials at its Leipzig, Germany, factory. The original pilot used Figure 02 robots to position sheet metal for welding on the X3 line and BMW says those robots contributed to building more than 30,000 vehicles. In Leipzig, BMW is testing new AEON humanoid robots from Hexagon Robotics that use AI-based motion control and built-in sensors. Key facts: - BMW has expanded tests from a Spartanburg pilot to production trials in its Leipzig iFACTORY environment. - Earlier Figure 02 humanoid robots handled precise sheet metal positioning for welding on the X3 line and were reported as contributing to production of more than 30,000 vehicles. - New AEON robots from Hexagon Robotics use AI-based motion control and sensors to perceive surroundings and adapt actions in real time. - BMW says the pilots are meant to test what works in real production and to refine how AI-powered robots learn on the job. - The humanoid design is presented as practical because it can operate in spaces and with tools already built for human workers. Summary: BMW is bringing AI-powered humanoid robots into active EV production settings with tests at its Leipzig iFACTORY, building on earlier pilots. The company frames this as an effort to integrate flexible automation into production; broader deployment and long-term effects remain undetermined at this time.