Figure 01 swiftly transitioned from concept to reality by mid-2023, refining its adaptive learning abilities by year-end, and integrating into BMW’s workforce by mid-January, showcased in a video where, backed by OpenAI, it made coffee after a 10-hour training session, learning tasks by observing humans. (Source: Image by RR)

Figure’s Partnership with BMW Demonstrates the Future of Automated Car Assembly

In January 2024, Figure, a California-based robotics firm, signed its first commercial agreement with BMW to deploy its humanoid robot in the carmaker’s Spartanburg, South Carolina production facility. Recently, Figure released a video showcasing its 01 humanoid robot participating in vehicle assembly, operating autonomously through neural networks that map pixels to actions. This development, as reported in interestingengineering.com, marks a significant step in the use of humanoid robots for manufacturing, as the Figure 01 robot is capable of handling tasks such as manipulating sheet metal and operating in the body shop, thanks to its advanced AI and vision-language model from OpenAI.

The humanoid robot from Figure is designed to perform a wide range of manufacturing jobs with high precision, driven by neural networks that convert camera pixels into actions. Standing at 1.6 meters tall and weighing 132 pounds, the fully electric robot can carry a 44-pound payload and operate for five hours on a single charge. The robot undergoes a training period of twelve to twenty-four months to develop the necessary skills for specific tasks, ensuring precise object manipulation within tight tolerances and effective navigation through simulated training.

Figure’s advancements in robotic precision are part of a broader trend among car manufacturers, including Mercedes, Honda, and Hyundai, who are exploring the use of humanoid robots to automate repetitive and hazardous tasks on assembly lines. Figure aims to address workforce scaling challenges by creating a global model to manage a large number of humanoid robots, especially in light of an aging population and the need for increased productivity through automation. Founded in 2022 by Brett Adcock, Figure has rapidly progressed, leveraging expertise from former employees of Boston Dynamics, Tesla, Google DeepMind, and Archer Aviation.

Figure 01’s capabilities, such as making coffee after a brief training session, highlight the potential of end-to-end AI systems in learning and executing tasks by observing humans. Despite the promising developments, Figure faces competition from other companies like Tesla, Kepler, Unitree, and Boston Dynamics, all of whom are developing general-purpose humanoid robots. The ongoing advancements in humanoid robotics signal a transformative future for manufacturing and other industries, driven by the integration of AI and robotic technology.

read more at interestingengineering.com