BMW says humanoid robots are 'the future' of car making
BMW is bringing humanoid robots into a European car plant, building on similar US trials. The carmaker says the technology marks a new phase in industrial productivity.
BMW Group has announced it is bringing humanoid robots into a European car plant. According to the BBC, the project draws on data from earlier pilots with Figure AI at the carmaker's US Spartanburg site. Milan Nedeljković, BMW board member for production, said the humanoids would initially handle heavy parts and assembly-preparation steps.
IDC analyst Daniel Newman said scaling humanoid robots on the floor could lift productivity in Europe's auto sector by 7-10 percent over the next three years. Germany's IG Metall metalworkers' union noted that employment effects of automation will be a central theme in bargaining. Mercedes-Benz and Volkswagen are also said to be running similar trials with Apptronik and Sanctuary AI.
The European Commission's AI Act compliance requirements for high-risk industrial uses will take effect by the end of 2026. BMW officials say the robots' safe-operation protocols are being reviewed with Brussels regulators. This article is not investment advice.
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