on may 18, according to foreign media reports, figure ai, a u.s.-based robotics startup, has officially deployed its second-generation humanoid robot, the figure 02, at bmw’s u.s. manufacturing plant. currently, three figure 02 units—codenamed bob, frank, and gary—are handling packaging and sorting tasks, operating continuously and efficiently around the clock.
according to gizevo technology, the figure 02’s specific tasks on the production line include precisely picking up packages, automatically adjusting its posture so that labels face downward for easier subsequent scanning, and smoothly pushing the packages onto the conveyor belt. despite the high degree of standardization in these operations, the robot relies entirely on autonomous navigation, requiring no tracks or fixed ground installations, nor does it depend on structural modifications to existing production-line infrastructure.
figure ai focuses on developing general-purpose humanoid robots and embodied intelligence technologies powered by large-scale models, having secured strategic investments from leading tech companies such as nvidia, microsoft, and openai. since 2024, bmw has been conducting field trials and scenario adaptation of the figure series robots at its u.s. plants.
foreign media observations indicate that major global automakers are accelerating their entry into the humanoid robotics arena. tesla continues to advance its optimus project, leveraging its technological expertise in autonomous driving chips, motor control, and mass production to achieve seamless hardware-software integration. meanwhile, xpeng has launched the high-performance humanoid robot iron, notable for its multi-degree-of-freedom hand design and exceptional dexterity. as a pioneer in china’s smart mobility ecosystem, xpeng is building a comprehensive ai-driven industrial system encompassing humanoid robots, intelligent electric vehicles, robotaxis, and flying cars.
