Determine 03 provides tactile-sensor palms, palm cameras, wi-fi charging, and speech-to-speech audio over its predecessor. | Supply: BMW Group
BMW Group is doubling down on its deployment of Determine.AI’s humanoid robots. The automaker final week introduced that, following its profitable deployment with Determine 02 at its plant in Spartanburg, S.C., it’ll deploy the corporate’s newest Determine 03 robotic.
âPlant Spartanburg is the birthplace of humanoid robotics in BMW Manufacturingâs operational day-to-day actions,â mentioned Ulrich Wieland, vice chairman of manufacturing management and logistics at BMW Manufacturing. “Having already efficiently accomplished a pilot with Determine 02 in our physique store, we at the moment are wanting ahead to deploying Determine 03 for a sequencing use case in logistics.”
The BMW Group mentioned it gained vital expertise with humanoid robots at Plant Spartanburg in 2025. Determine 02 supported the manufacturing of greater than 30,000 BMW X3 autos. Within the physique store, the robotic inserted sheet-metal elements for the welding course of, a activity that calls for excessive pace and accuracy and that may be bodily demanding.
âOur 11-month deployment of Determine 02 proved that humanoids are not lab experiments — they could be a useful asset in establishing a versatile, dependable manufacturing workforce,â said Brett Adcock, founder and CEO of Determine AI. âWe’re excited to proceed our work in Spartanburg as Determine tackles the complexity of the meeting and logistics corridor.â
Determine 03 takes on new functions with BMW
The findings gained from BMW’s first manufacturing deployment kind the idea for its subsequent steps with Figure 03.
âThe robotic introduces a number of new options for expanded functions. These embrace comfortable elements designed for enhanced security, wi-fi charging designed for larger availability, and audio capabilities for speech-to-speech communication, together with improved palms with tactile sensors and palm cameras designed to extend precision and dexterity,â mentioned Adcock.
Within the new sequencing use case, elements will initially arrive in bigger containers, unsorted. Determine 03 will decide them up and type them right into a sequencing trolley, in response to the San Jose, Calif.-based firm. The trolley will then be taken to an outlined assortment level for onward transport.
An automatic tugger prepare or a sensible transport robotic will then transport the elements to the set up location, the place they are going to be offered to meeting workers âsimply in sequence.â This use case happens often in automotive manufacturing logistics and gives potential for additional improvement and scalability, mentioned the businesses.
The usage of humanoids is a part of the BMWâs broader technique to increase its automation portfolio with bodily AI. The corporate mentioned its potential lies notably in monotonous, ergonomically demanding, or safety-critical actions.
BMS mentioned its aim is to guard and successfully make the most of workers whereas additional enhancing workplaces.
BMW exams robots on two and 4 legs
AEON, Hexagon’s humanoid robotic, working in a BMW facility. | Supply: BMW
Along with Determine’s humanoids, BMW can be testing a wheeled humanoid robotic from Hexagon AB at its Leipzig plant in Germany. With the challenge, BMW needs to combine humanoids into present automotive manufacturing and discover future functions for humanoids in battery and part manufacturing.
Hexagon Robotics launched its humanoid robotic AEON in June 2025. Whereas AEON does characteristic two legs, every leg has a wheel as a substitute of a foot. Hexagon mentioned this permits the robotic to roll throughout even surfaces, transferring sooner than strolling, and to step when wanted.
Following an preliminary theoretical analysis section and profitable laboratory exams, BMW launched an preliminary take a look at deployment at its Group Plant Leipzig in December 2025. The corporate plans to do one other take a look at deployment from April 2026 to make sure full integration for the precise pilot section beginning in summer season 2026.
At its Hams Corridor plant close to Birmingham, U.Okay., BMW makes use of digital twin expertise and Boston Dynamicsâ Spot quadruped to profit from the info it generates. On the facility, Spot runs routine inspections on the facility.
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