Bmw

Recent reports suggest the initial deployment of Figure AI's humanoid robots at BMW's Spartanburg plant is a small-scale feasibility study focused on identifying use cases, rather than an immediate, large-scale integration into production tasks. This reality check highlights the incremental nature of deploying advanced robotics in complex industrial settings.

Allen Zhu, a high-profile Chinese venture capitalist with GSR Ventures, has expressed skepticism about the near-term commercial viability of humanoid robots. He reportedly questions their cost-effectiveness compared to specialized automation and highlights the lack of a 'killer app,' suggesting mass adoption may be over a decade away.

Figure AI showcased its humanoid robots performing material handling tasks within BMW's live production facility in Spartanburg, South Carolina. This marks a move from controlled tests to real-world automotive manufacturing operations for the Figure 01 robot.