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After successfully piloting humanoid robots at its Spartanburg, SC plant last year, BMW is putting AI-powered machines to work building EVs at its Leipzig iFACTORY.<\/p>\n
While other companies trade on promises and plans<\/a>, BMW has been quietly testing humanoid robots at its Spartanburg, SC plant \u2013\u00a0and the results have been overwhelmingly positive. The Figure 02 humanoid robots\u00a0in that project have contributed to the production of over 30,000 BMW X3s<\/a>, primarily by handling the precise positioning of sheet metal for welding. This second project hopes to build on that success using new machines develped by Zurich-based Hexagon Robotics.<\/p>\n Unveiled last June, the new Hexagon AEON robots are equipped with AI-based motion control and sensors that can evaluate their environment and make independent decisions based on what\u2019s around, determining more or less on their own what they need to do to carry out their instructions while avoiding people and things that might otherwise be \u201cin the way.\u201d <\/p>\n Hexagon calls that kind of decision-making, self-determining software, \u201cPhysical AI,\u201d and the company believes it will make all the difference when it comes to integrating AEON into existing factories<\/a>.<\/p>\n \tAdvertisement – scroll for more content<\/p>\n \u201cOur aim is to be a technology leader and to integrate new technologies into production at an early stage,\u201d explains Michael Nikolaides, Senior Vice President Production Network, Supply Chain Management at BMW Group. \u201cPilot projects ([ike the one at Spartanburg and this one at iFACTORY<\/a>] help us to test and further develop the use of Physical AI \u2013 that is, AI\u2011enabled robots capable of learning, under real-world industrial conditions.\u201d<\/p>\n While designing robots to look like humans likely causes more problems than it solves, it does make planning their workflows more intuitive for the humans behind the controls who are translating their own actions into robotic commands. That kind of digitization is, at least, arguably beneficial.<\/p>\n \u201cDigitalization improves the competitiveness of our production, here in Europe and worldwide,\u201d says Milan Nedeljkovi\u0107, Member of the Board of Management of BMW AG, Production. \u201cThe symbiosis of engineering expertise and artificial intelligence opens up entirely new possibilities in production.\u201d<\/p>\n You can watch BMW\u2019s newest mechanical Turk employee at work in the company\u2019s official release video, below, then let us know what you think of AEON in the comments.<\/p>\n Electrek\u2019s Take<\/p>\n Back in January,\u00a0I wrote an article about a fresh order for more than forty new Freightliner eCascadia electric semi trucks being deployed in Texas<\/a>. In the comments, Harry Tuttle wrote, \u201cHmmm. Not Teslas<\/a>. How about that.\u201d<\/p>\n I wonder what you guys are going to write on this one.<\/p>\n SOURCE | IMAGES: BMW Group<\/a>, via New Atlas<\/a>.<\/p>\n If you\u2019re considering going solar, it\u2019s always a good idea to get quotes from a few installers. To make sure you find a trusted, reliable solar installer near you that offers competitive pricing, check out\u00a0EnergySage<\/a>, a free service that makes it easy for you to go solar. It has hundreds of pre-vetted solar installers competing for your business, ensuring you get high-quality solutions and save 20-30% compared to going it alone. Plus, it\u2019s free to use, and you won\u2019t get sales calls until you select an installer and share your phone number with them.\u00a0<\/p>\n Your personalized solar quotes are easy to compare online and you\u2019ll get access to unbiased Energy Advisors to help you every step of the way.\u00a0Get started here<\/a>.<\/p>\n![\"\"](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ca\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/08\/DES-1038_Electrek-Banners_EVs_0797c2.png\")
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