BMW deploys Figure 03 humanoid for logistics sequencing at Spartanburg plant

BMW Group has begun using Figure AI's Figure 03 humanoid robot for logistics sequencing at its Plant Spartanburg in South Carolina. The deployment follows a prior pilot with the earlier Figure 02 model in the body shop. In the new application, the Figure 03 robot removes individual components from large unsorted containers and places them into sequencing trolleys. Automated tugger trains or smart transport robots then move the sorted trolleys to assembly stations for just-in-sequence delivery to workers. The work supports production of BMW X3 variants and the upcoming electrified iX5. Development of the robot continues in parallel at the plant and at Figure AI facilities. Ulrich Wieland, vice president of production control and logistics at BMW Manufacturing, said the company is deploying Figure 03 for the sequencing use case in logistics after the successful Figure 02 pilot. The project forms part of BMW's iFACTORY initiatives that apply artificial intelligence and virtualization in production.