Humanoid robotics startup Figure has announced its first-ever customer after it signed an agreement with automaker BMW‘s manufacturing arm, which will be using its general-purpose AI-powered solutions at a US plant.
The company’s flagship product is what it describes as the ‘world’s first commercially viable general purpose humanoid robot’.
One of the chief motivations to Figure is to develop a solution that is ready to produce an abundance of affordable, more widely available goods and services.
Currently, most industrial and manufacturing robots are heavy-duty but designed for high-output, repetitive tasks and are not adaptable for multiple applications, leading to higher expenses for businesses looking to upscale or move into new markets.
General purpose robots are able to complete a range of applications, but developing one with the versatility of a human worker has proven challenging so far to tech developers.
To understand the viability of humanoid robots in car production, BMW will deploy Figure’s humanoid solution at its plant in Spartanburg, South Carolina.
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“The use of general purpose robot solutions has the potential to make productivity more efficient, to support the growing demands of our consumers, and to enable our team to focus on the transformation ahead of us,” said Robert Engelhorn, president and CEO, BMW Manufacturing.
Phase one of the project will see Figure assess the carmaker’s manufacturing processes and identify suitable applications for its product, with integration into the wider facility following this.
“We have designed the robot to be safe next to humans,” added Brett Adcock, founder and CEO of Figure, told Reuters.
“Working with BMW on automation in a manufacturing facility is a huge validator for us in the space.”
