Tesla's Innovation Rivalry? BMW Inks Pact With Robotics Startup Figure To Deploy Humanoid Robots

Bayerische Motoren Werke AG‘s BMWYY unit BMW Manufacturing is teaming up with robotics startup Figure to deploy humanoid robots in its U.S. facility. 

Under the agreement, BMW Manufacturing and Figure will pursue a milestone-based approach.

In the first phase, Figure will identify initial use cases to apply the Figure robots in automotive production. Once the first phase has been completed, the Figure robots will begin staged deployment at BMW’s manufacturing facility in Spartanburg, South Carolina.

Beyond the deployment of humanoid robots in an automotive manufacturing environment, BMW Manufacturing and Figure jointly will explore advanced technology topics such as artificial intelligence, robot control, manufacturing virtualization, and robot integration.

As companies increasingly adopt human-like robots, BMW aims to leverage these advanced machines for specific physical tasks, Reuters reported.

Recently, Tesla, Inc. TSLA introduced Optimus Gen 2, its latest humanoid robot, as Elon Musk envisions a billion such robots worldwide by the 2040s.

However, BMW’s partnership begins with a modest quantity, expanding based on performance achievements, says Figure CEO Brett Adcock, Reuters added.

On Tuesday, Tesla CEO Elon Musk expressed optimism that robots will build other robots one day. Terming it ‘inevitable,’ the CEO said that robots will build robots one day whether Tesla does it or not.

The generation 2 version of the Optimus was unveiled in a video on X in December with better control of its hands enabling it to handle delicate objects like eggs.

Meanwhile, Automakers like Honda Motor Company, Ltd. HMC and Hyundai Motor Co., Ltd. HYMLF are also exploring humanoid robots for repetitive and hazardous tasks in assembly lines, enhancing efficiency and safety, Reuters added.

Investor interest surges in general-purpose humanoid robots with AI-driven capabilities for versatile movements and task learning, aiming to mimic human abilities, the report read. 

Existing robots are task-specific, raising questions about the viability of adaptable robots in real-world scenarios, it added.

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Price Action: TSLA shares are trading lower by 2.5% to $210.15 on the last check Thursday. 

Disclaimer: This content was partially produced with the help of AI tools and was reviewed and published by Benzinga editors.

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