BMW Group has begun deploying Figure AI’s Figure 03 humanoid robot at Plant Spartanburg in South Carolina for a logistics sequencing application, extending the site’s humanoid robotics program beyond the body shop where Figure 02 operated for 11 months in 2025. The new deployment moves the technology into a different section of the production process, with Figure 03 sorting components from large unsorted delivery containers into sequencing trolleys for onward transport to assembly workers.
“Plant Spartanburg is the birthplace of humanoid robotics in BMW Manufacturing’s operational day-to-day activities,” said Ulrich Wieland, Vice President of Production Control and Logistics at BMW Manufacturing. “Having already successfully completed a pilot with Figure 02 in our body shop, we are now looking forward to deploying Figure 03 for a sequencing use case in logistics.”
What Figure 03 Is Doing
In the new sequencing application, delivered components arrive at the logistics hall in large unsorted containers. Figure 03 picks them up and sorts them into sequencing trolleys, which are then transported to a defined collection point for onward delivery. An automated tugger train or Smart Transport Robot then carries the parts to the assembly location, where they are provided to employees just-in-sequence – the automotive production method that ensures the right part arrives at the right workstation at the right moment.
Parts sequencing is one of the most frequent logistics tasks in automotive production and one of the most labor-intensive. Its repetitive, physical nature makes it a natural target for humanoid automation, and its frequency across multiple production lines creates significant scalability potential if the application proves reliable.
Figure 03’s New Capabilities
The Figure 03 platform includes several advances over Figure 02 relevant to the logistics deployment. Improved hands with tactile sensors and palm cameras increase precision and dexterity for handling components of varying sizes and orientations. Wireless charging improves operational availability by reducing downtime for recharging. Audio functions enable speech-to-speech communication with nearby workers and supervisors. Soft components throughout the robot’s body are designed for enhanced safety in environments where human workers are present.
“Our 11-month deployment of Figure 02 proved that humanoids are no longer lab experiments – they can be a valuable asset in establishing a flexible, reliable manufacturing workforce,” said Brett Adcock, Founder and CEO of Figure AI. “We are excited to continue our work in Spartanburg as Figure tackles the complexity of the assembly and logistics hall.”
The iFACTORY Digital Layer
The Figure 03 deployment is integrated into a broader digital transformation underway at Hall 52, where BMW X3 variants and the future electrified BMW iX5 will be assembled. Virtual 3D simulations optimize production processes before physical implementation. The BMW Virtual Factory tool simulates human movement sequences to refine manual processes from planning through production, with ergonomics optimization as a key objective.
AI-based quality assurance through AIQX – Artificial Intelligence Quality Next – uses camera systems and sensors during line operations to provide real-time feedback to assembly employees through smart devices. BMW is evaluating making AIQX available to suppliers as well.
Together, the Figure 03 logistics application, virtual factory planning tools, and AI quality inspection represent the BMW Group’s iFACTORY approach to physical AI – connecting digital systems with physical machines to create production environments that continuously improve through data and intelligent automation.
