BMW Group Deploys Figure 03 Humanoid After Successful Pilot with Previous Version
BMW Group is deepening its commitment to humanoid robotics, announcing the deployment of Figure AI’s latest Figure 03 robot at its Spartanburg, South Carolina, plant. The move follows an 11-month pilot with the Figure 02 model, which helped produce over 30,000 BMW X3 vehicles by inserting sheet-metal parts in the body shop—a task requiring high speed, precision, and physical endurance.
“Plant Spartanburg is the birthplace of humanoid robotics in BMW Manufacturing’s operational day-to-day activities,” said Ulrich Wieland, vice president of production control and logistics at BMW Manufacturing. “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.”
Lessons from Figure 02
The pilot proved that humanoids can transition from laboratory experiments to practical manufacturing assets, according to Brett Adcock, founder and CEO of Figure AI. “Our 11-month deployment of Figure 02 proved that humanoids are no longer lab experiments — they can be a valuable asset in establishing a flexible, reliable manufacturing workforce,” he said. The findings from that deployment directly inform the next phase with Figure 03.
What Figure 03 Brings
Figure 03 introduces several upgrades for expanded applications, including soft components for enhanced safety, wireless charging for higher availability, and audio functions enabling speech-to-speech communication. It also features improved hands with tactile sensors and palm cameras to boost precision and dexterity, according to Adcock.
A New Logistics Use Case
In the sequencing application, Figure 03 will handle components arriving in large, unsorted containers. The robot will pick and sort them into a sequencing trolley, which is then taken to a defined collection point. An automated tugger train or smart transport robot delivers the parts “just in sequence” to assembly employees. The companies noted this scenario is common in automotive production logistics and offers strong scalability potential.
Broader Automation Strategy
The humanoid deployment is part of BMW’s wider strategy to expand its automation portfolio with physical AI. The company sees particular value in monotonous, ergonomically demanding, or safety-critical tasks, aiming to protect employees and improve workplaces while utilizing automation effectively.
Beyond Humanoids: Two and Four Legs
BMW is also testing a wheeled humanoid robot from Hexagon AB at its Leipzig plant in Germany. The AEON robot, released in June 2025, features wheels on its legs, allowing it to roll faster on flat surfaces or step when needed. Following laboratory tests and an initial deployment in December 2025, BMW plans further tests from April 2026 ahead of a pilot phase in summer 2026.
At its Hams Hall plant near Birmingham, UK, BMW uses Boston Dynamics’ Spot quadruped robot alongside digital twin technology to run routine inspections, maximizing the data the facility generates.
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