BMW reports humanoid robots are slower than humans in factory tests

BMW has reported that humanoid robots used in its Spartanburg, South Carolina factory are currently slower than human workers. The company has been testing a robot developed by Figure AI, which is tasked with picking up parts from boxes and placing them onto transport carts.

Ulrich Wieland, BMW’s logistics manager, noted that while the technology is advancing rapidly, humans still maintain a speed advantage. BMW is not alone in this pursuit; Mercedes is testing Apptronik robots, Hyundai plans to use Boston Dynamics technology for part organization, and Tesla is developing its Optimus robot for broader applications beyond automotive manufacturing.

Some experts, such as Ben Armstrong from the MIT Industrial Performance Center, have questioned the efficiency of this approach, suggesting that expensive humanoid robots may be an over-engineered solution for tasks that could be handled by simpler, more cost-effective automation systems.