The robot is designed with a dexterous, human-like hand for manipulation, and will be learning on the job, refining its approach during real-world testing. The long-term addition of these systems to the BMW line depends on whether the robots meet the automaker’s internal expectations of output. Figure is leasing the systems through a model called RaaS (robotics as a service), which it plans to maintain for the foreseeable future.
Key takeaways:
- Figure has announced a commercial agreement to bring its first humanoid robot to a BMW manufacturing facility in South Carolina, with the robot expected to perform tasks such as box moving, pick and place, and pallet unloading and loading.
- The robot, Figure 01, will start with an initial five tasks and grow its skillset over time, with the company likening the approach to an app store.
- Figure expects to ship its first commercial robot within a year, with the initial batch of applications largely determined by early partners like BMW.
- Figure is leasing the systems through a model called RaaS (robotics as a service), which it expects to maintain for the foreseeable future.