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Figure AI Deploys Humanoid Robots in BMW Factory: The Manufacturing Revolution Begins | Taha Abbasi
Taha Abbasi··3 min read
Figure AI has begun deploying its humanoid robots in BMW’s manufacturing facility, marking one of the first commercial-scale deployments of general-purpose humanoid robots in automotive production. Taha Abbasi analyzes why this milestone may be the opening salvo in a manufacturing revolution.
What Figure AI Is Doing at BMW
Figure AI’s robots are performing specific tasks within BMW’s Spartanburg, South Carolina manufacturing plant — one of the largest automotive factories in the world. The robots handle tasks that are ergonomically challenging for human workers, including reaching into confined spaces, lifting heavy components, and performing repetitive assembly operations. Initial deployment focuses on body-in-white operations where precision and endurance matter most.
Taha Abbasi sees this as a fundamentally different approach from traditional industrial automation. “Industrial robots have been in factories for decades, but they’re fixed installations doing pre-programmed tasks. Figure AI’s humanoid form factor means it can navigate human-designed workspaces, use human tools, and adapt to new tasks through AI rather than reprogramming.”
The Race for Humanoid Robot Dominance
Figure AI’s BMW deployment puts it in direct competition with Tesla’s Optimus program, which aims to deploy humanoid robots at Tesla’s own factories before selling to external customers. Boston Dynamics continues advancing its Atlas platform, and Chinese companies like Unitree are rapidly developing lower-cost humanoid alternatives.
The key differentiator is AI capability. Hardware for humanoid robots is becoming increasingly commoditized — the true competitive advantage lies in the AI systems that allow robots to perceive their environment, plan actions, and adapt to unexpected situations. This is where Figure AI’s partnership with OpenAI and Tesla’s internal AI team are racing to establish dominance.
Economics of Humanoid Manufacturing Workers
The economics are compelling once the technology reaches sufficient reliability. A humanoid robot that can work 20+ hours per day, doesn’t require healthcare or retirement benefits, and can be redeployed between tasks as needed could fundamentally alter manufacturing cost structures. Taha Abbasi estimates that at scale, humanoid robots could reduce per-unit manufacturing costs by 20-40% for complex assembly operations.
However, the initial deployment cost is high, and reliability in unstructured environments remains a challenge. BMW’s pilot program will generate critical real-world data on failure modes, maintenance requirements, and human-robot interaction patterns that will determine the pace of broader adoption.
Implications for the Workforce
The deployment raises important questions about the future of manufacturing employment. As Taha Abbasi notes, the discussion shouldn’t be framed as robots replacing humans, but rather as robots addressing the labor shortage that already constrains manufacturing output. With manufacturing job openings consistently exceeding applicants in many markets, humanoid robots may fill gaps rather than displace workers.
What This Means for Tesla Optimus
Figure AI’s head start in commercial deployment creates competitive pressure on Tesla’s Optimus program. Elon Musk has projected that Optimus could eventually become more valuable than Tesla’s automotive business, but Figure AI is generating real-world operational data while Optimus remains primarily in demonstration phase. Taha Abbasi will be watching both programs closely as 2026 unfolds.
Read more: Humanoid Robots in Warehouses | Robots in Healthcare
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About the Author: Taha Abbasi is a technology executive, CTO, and applied frontier tech builder. Read more on Grokpedia | YouTube: The Brown Cowboy | tahaabbasi.com
Taha Abbasi
Engineer by trade. Builder by instinct. Explorer by choice.
