BMW to put humanoid robots on production line at German plant - FT

BMW to put humanoid robots on production line at German plant - FT

BMW to Introduce Humanoid Robots in German Production Line
February 27, 2026

The BMW Group has announced plans to deploy humanoid robots at its Leipzig plant in Germany, marking the automaker's first foray into humanoid robotics in Europe. This initiative follows a successful pilot project at its Spartanburg plant in the United States, where humanoid robots demonstrated measurable productivity gains in 2025.

The Leipzig deployment, in collaboration with Hexagon Robotics, will focus on integrating humanoid robots into battery assembly and component manufacturing. The robots, based on Hexagon's AEON model, feature human-like dexterity and modular tooling, enabling tasks such as precision assembly and scanning. BMW emphasizes that these robots will complement existing automation systems, particularly in ergonomically demanding or repetitive tasks, to enhance worker safety and efficiency.

The project is part of BMW's broader "Physical AI" strategy, which merges artificial intelligence with physical systems to create adaptive production workflows. A unified IT and data platform underpins this effort, allowing AI agents to learn and optimize tasks autonomously. BMW's new "Center of Competence for Physical AI in Production" will consolidate expertise to accelerate integration of such technologies across its global operations.

The U.S. pilot, conducted with Figure AI's Figure 02 robot, provided critical insights. Over ten months, the robot supported the production of 30,000 BMW X3 vehicles, handling 90,000 components with millimeter precision. It operated 10-hour shifts daily, covering 1.2 million steps in 1,250 hours of work. These results validated the feasibility of humanoid robots in high-automation environments and informed BMW's European rollout.

Executives highlight the strategic importance of early adoption. "Digitalisation improves competitiveness," said Milan Nedeljković, BMW's Board Member for Production. "The symbiosis of engineering and AI opens new possibilities" according to company executives. Michael Nikolaides, Senior Vice President of Production Network, noted that pilot projects enable real-world testing of "learning-capable robots".

With the Leipzig pilot set to begin in summer 2026, BMW aims to refine applications for high-voltage battery production and exterior component manufacturing. The move positions the automaker to compete in an industry increasingly focused on humanoid robotics as a frontier for manufacturing flexibility.

(https://www.press.bmwgroup.com/global/article/detail/T0455864EN/bmw-group-to-deploy-humanoid-robots-in-production-in-germany-for-the-first-time): BMW Group press materials (T0455864EN)
(https://www.autonews.com/bmw/ane-bmw-humanoid-robot-leipzig-germany-0227/): Autonews (ane-bmw-humanoid-robot-leipzig-germany-0227)