It seems that Elon Musk with his futuristic (utopian?) vision of the automotive industry is giving ideas to other manufacturers. BMW just partnered with startup Figure, specializes in the supply of humanoid robots designed for industrial use.
When Tesla introduced Optimus, also known as the Tesla Bot, many initially saw the announcement as something of a joke or, at best, a promising project destined for the distant future. However, Tesla’s humanoid robot continued to develop and began to be used in practice at the company’s factories. This paved the way for similar initiatives by other automotive giants, including BMW.
After Tesla Bot, BMW Bot?
Founded in Sunnyvale, California in late 2022, Figure has already raised an impressive amount of funding, including $70 million (equivalent to $64.4 million). euros) for the development and creation of humanoid robots. Designed for compatibility and safety in the presence of humans, these robots will be rolled out at the BMW plant in Spartanburg, South Carolina.
We are happy to announce that Figurka has signed a commercial agreement with BMW 🤝
We will deploy our general purpose robots in automotive manufacturing.
More below: pic.twitter.com/LPisMeZZbi
— Figure (@Figure_robot) January 18, 2024
Figure CEO Brett Adcock said: “We designed robots with priority, creating a product that is compatible and safe to use with real people. Working with BMW at their factories will allow us to make huge progress in this regard. »
The end of the exhausting and dangerous task for man?
The plan involves the use of robots to replace human workers in specific tasks. According to initial estimates, the first prototypes should be put into service within 12-24 months, after the completion of the training necessary to perform the specific operations requested.
BMW is not the only manufacturer interested in humanoid robots. Honda and Hyundai are also experimenting with using robots to perform difficult, dangerous or repetitive tasks.
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Source: Auto Plus
Robert is an experienced journalist who has been covering the automobile industry for over a decade. He has a deep understanding of the latest technologies and trends in the industry and is known for his thorough and in-depth reporting.