BMW's German Plant Deploys AI-Powered Humanoid Robots for Screw Assembly

BMW has officially introduced the AEON humanoid robot, developed by Swiss company Hexagon Robotics, at its iFACTORY plant in Leipzig, Germany, for electric vehicle assembly tasks—including screw-driving operations. Equipped with an AI-based motion control system and multiple environmental perception sensors, the robot can autonomously assess its surroundings, avoid obstacles, and complete assigned tasks. Previously, BMW piloted the use of the Figure 02 humanoid robot at its Spartanburg plant in the U.S., where it contributed to the production of over 30,000 X3 models, primarily handling precise positioning of sheet metal components for welding. Although the humanoid design increases technical complexity, it allows engineers to directly translate human movements into robotic instructions, thereby optimizing workflow efficiency.