\n Munich. The BMW Group is consistently advancing the
\n digitalisation and use of artificial intelligence in production. A key
\n element in this effort is \u201cPhysical AI\u201d, which combines digital
\n artificial intelligence (AI) with real machines and robots. This
\n enables intelligent systems such as humanoid robots to be integrated
\n into real-world production processes.<\/p>\n
For the first time, the BMW Group is now bringing Physical AI to
\n Europe and launching a pilot project with humanoid robots at the
\n Leipzig plant. The project aims to integrate humanoid robotics into
\n existing series production of cars and to explore further applications
\n in the production of batteries and components.<\/p>\n
\u201cDigitalisation improves the competitiveness of our production \u2013 here
\n in Europe and worldwide. The symbiosis of engineering expertise and
\n artificial intelligence opens up entirely new possibilities in
\n production,\u201d said Milan Nedeljkovi\u0107, Member of the Board of Management
\n of BMW AG, Production.<\/p>\n
Last year, the BMW Group successfully implemented a pilot project
\n with humanoid robots at its Spartanburg plant in the United States.
\n The insights gained from this project are being leveraged to further
\n develop and scale Physical AI applications.<\/p>\n
\u00a0<\/p>\n
\n Unified IT and data model in the production system<\/p>\n
Artificial intelligence is already an integral part of the BMW
\n Group\u2019s production system. From the virtual factory with digital twins
\n and AI\u2011enabled quality controls to intralogistics with autonomous
\n transport solutions, intelligent systems are used in almost all
\n production steps.<\/p>\n
A prerequisite for the effective use of artificial intelligence in
\n production is a unified IT and data model across the entire production
\n system. The BMW Group has consistently transformed isolated data silos
\n into a unified data platform in its production system meaning that all
\n data is consistent, standardised, and available at all times. This
\n enables digital AI agents to take on increasingly challenging tasks
\n autonomously and in complex environments while continuously learning
\n and becoming available for additional areas of application. The
\n introduction of intelligent and autonomous decision\u2011making agents
\n marks a paradigm shift in production. In combination with robots,
\n these digital AI agents are what make up Physical AI.<\/p>\n
\u201cOur aim is to be a technology leader and to integrate new
\n technologies into production at an early stage. Pilot projects help us
\n to test and further develop the use of Physical AI \u2013 that is,
\n AI\u2011enabled robots capable of learning \u2013 under real-world industrial
\n conditions,\u201d said Michael Nikolaides, Senior Vice President Production
\n Network, Supply Chain Management at BMW Group.<\/p>\n
Digitalisation and artificial intelligence are core elements of BMW
\n iFACTORY and are the foundation for future\u2011proof, flexible, and
\n competitive production.<\/p>\n
\u00a0<\/p>\n
\n Humanoid robotics complements existing automation<\/p>\n
The BMW Group is strategically expanding its automation portfolio to
\n include Physical AI and humanoid robotics. Humanoid robots are viewed
\n as a value\u2011adding complement to existing automation. Particularly,
\n they demonstrate potential in monotonous, ergonomically demanding, or
\n safety\u2011critical tasks. The goal is to relieve employees and further
\n improve working conditions.<\/p>\n
\u00a0<\/p>\n
\n Center of Competence for Physical AI in Production
\n consolidates expertise<\/p>\n
Its consistent data platform in production makes the BMW Group an
\n attractive partner for technology companies seeking to test the
\n possibilities of Physical AI \u2013 particularly humanoid robotics \u2013 in an
\n industrial environment under real-world conditions. By setting up the
\n new \u201cCenter of Competence for Physical AI in Production\u201d, the BMW
\n Group is taking the next step in consolidating its expertise and
\n ensuring that the full range of knowledge can be leveraged across the organisation.<\/p>\n
The BMW Group is following a clearly structured approach. Technology
\n partners are evaluated according to defined maturity and
\n industrialisation criteria and tested in pilot projects under
\n real-world production conditions. Following a theoretical assessment,
\n an evaluation is carried out at the manufacturer\u2019s site in the
\n laboratory using real use cases from the BMW production system to test
\n integration capability. If this phase is successful, it is followed by
\n an initial test deployment under real-world production conditions at a
\n BMW Group plant and subsequently the actual pilot phase.<\/p>\n
\u00a0<\/p>\n
\n First pilot project with humanoid robots in Europe<\/p>\n
In collaboration with Hexagon, a long\u2011standing, established partner
\n of the BMW\u00a0Group in the field of sensor technology and software, the
\n first pilot project in Europe is now underway. Hexagon\u2019s
\n organisational unit located in Z\u00fcrich, Hexagon Robotics, specialises
\n in Physical AI and presented its first humanoid robot, AEON, in June
\n 2025. Following an initial theoretical evaluation phase and successful
\n laboratory tests, there was an initial test deployment at
\n BMW\u00a0Group\u00a0Plant Leipzig in December 2025. A further test deployment is
\n planned from April 2026 to ensure full integration for the actual
\n pilot phase starting in summer 2026.<\/p>\n
The deployment in Leipzig is focusing on testing a multifunctional
\n application of the robot. It is based on AEON\u2019s design, whose
\n human\u2011like body allows a wide range of hand and gripper elements or
\n scanning tools to be flexibly attached and enables dynamic use on
\n wheels. During testing and later in the pilot phase, the robot will be
\n used in the assembly of high\u2011voltage batteries and in component manufacturing.<\/p>\n
\u00a0<\/p>\n
\n Successful pilot at BMW Group Plant Spartanburg provides key
\n insights for use of humanoid robots in production<\/p>\n
The world\u2019s first deployment of humanoid robots at a BMW Group plant
\n took place at the Spartanburg plant in the United States in 2025, in
\n collaboration with the technology company Figure AI. The results
\n demonstrated that Physical AI can deliver measurable added value under
\n real-world conditions. Within ten months, the robot Figure 02
\n supported the production of more than 30,000\u00a0BMW X3, working ten-hour
\n shifts daily from Monday to Friday. Figure\u00a002 handled the precise
\n removal and positioning of sheet metal parts for the welding process \u2013
\n a task that is particularly demanding in terms of speed and accuracy
\n while also being physically exhausting. In total, it moved more than
\n 90,000 components and covered approximately 1.2 million steps in
\n around 1,250 operating hours.<\/p>\n
The pilot confirmed that humanoid robots can safely perform precise,
\n repetitive work steps \u2013 such as positioning components with millimetre
\n precision \u2013 and provided important insights for the further deployment
\n of Physical AI in production.<\/p>\n
During the initial test phases with Figure 02, it was essential to
\n involve all areas of the production IT infrastructure, occupational
\n safety, production process management, and shop floor logistics at an
\n early stage.<\/p>\n
One key finding was that the transition from the laboratory to the
\n actual production environment was faster than expected. Motion
\n sequences trained in the laboratory could be quickly transferred into
\n stable shift operation. To ensure\u00a0smooth coexistence with existing
\n systems, integration into the BMW\u00a0Smart Robotics ecosystem was
\n implemented via standardised interfaces.<\/p>\n
The body shop was deliberately selected for the test phase in
\n Spartanburg, as it already has a high degree of automation. BMW Group
\n employees in this area have extensive experience in integrating new
\n technologies and processes. For example, material supply on the line
\n is already carried out almost exclusively via automated smart
\n transport robots (STR). The project team\u2019s early communication ensured
\n transparency from the outset and promoted acceptance. The deployment
\n of humanoid robots was met with great interest among employees and
\n quickly became a natural part of everyday work during the course of
\n the project.<\/p>\n
The BMW Group and Figure are currently evaluating additional use
\n cases for deploying the Figure 03 robot.<\/p>\n
\u00a0<\/p>\n
\n Additional quotes for use:<\/p>\n
\u00a0<\/p>\n
\n Michael Nikolaides, Senior Vice President Production Network,
\n Supply Chain Management at BMW Group:<\/p>\n
\u201cOur aim is to be a technology leader and to integrate new
\n technologies into production at an early stage. Pilot projects help us
\n to test and further develop the use of Physical AI \u2013 that is,
\n AI\u2011enabled robots capable of learning \u2013 under real-world industrial
\n conditions. The successful first deployment of humanoid robots at our
\n BMW\u00a0Group plant in Spartanburg in the USA proves that a humanoid robot
\n can function not only under controlled laboratory conditions but also
\n in an existing automotive manufacturing environment.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u00a0<\/p>\n
\n Michael Str\u00f6bel, Head of Process Management and
\n Digitalisation, Order to Delivery at BMW Group:<\/p>\n
\u201cWe are delighted to deploy a humanoid robot for the first time in a
\n pilot project at a plant in Germany. Following evaluation by our
\n Center of Competence for Physical AI in Production, tests were carried
\n out in the laboratory and at Plant\u00a0Leipzig at the end of last year.
\n This year, our focus is on step\u2011by\u2011step integration into our
\n production system to explore a wide range of applications. The
\n emphasis is on researching multifunctional use of the robot in various
\n production areas such as battery manufacturing for energy modules and
\n component production for exterior parts. With Hexagon, we have found a
\n proven long\u2011standing partner with a highly innovative approach to
\n humanoid robotics for this project.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u00a0<\/p>\n
\n Felix Haeckel, Team Lead CoC Physical AI for Production:<\/p>\n
\u201cAt our new Center of Competence for Physical AI in Production, we
\n are pooling our expertise to make knowledge on AI and robotics widely
\n usable within the company. In recent years, we have built up an
\n international team of experts that, in addition to in\u2011house research
\n and programming, is dedicated to the gradual integration of AI into
\n the existing production system. At the same time, our team in Munich
\n is driving its own robotics research to set up, support, and further
\n develop pilot projects in the field of Physical AI at our plants.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u00a0<\/p>\n
\n Arnaud Robert, President of Hexagon Robotics:<\/p>\n
\u201cWe are very pleased to be working with the BMW Group to advance the
\n use of humanoid robots in real\u2011world environments.\u201d<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"Munich. The BMW Group is consistently advancing the digitalisation and use of artificial intelligence in production. A key…\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":23710,"comment_status":"","ping_status":"","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[20955],"tags":[699,6213,4200,5869,9427,25303,25305,25301,23990,43],"class_list":["post-23709","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","category-bmw","tag-artificial-intelligence","tag-bmw","tag-corporate","tag-innovation","tag-leipzig","tag-locations","tag-production-plants","tag-sites","tag-spartanburg","tag-technology"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/germany\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/23709","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/germany\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/germany\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/germany\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/germany\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=23709"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/germany\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/23709\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/germany\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/23710"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/germany\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=23709"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/germany\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=23709"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/germany\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=23709"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}