Humanoid Robots Coming to BMW USA Factory

[SubLGT]

Working amongst these "general purpose" robots would be a bit creepy at first, I think.

https://www.greencarcongress.com/2024/01/20240119-figure.html

Under the agreement, BMW Manufacturing and Figure will pursue a milestone-based approach. In the first phase, Figure will identify initial use cases to apply the Figure robots in automotive production. Once the first phase has been completed, the Figure robots will begin staged deployment at BMW’s manufacturing facility in Spartanburg, South Carolina.

 

[Owen Lucas]

I wouldn't want to stand anywhere near one of those things let alone on an assembly line with it holding tools.

 

[Vercingetorix]

The company Figure is owned by Cyberdyne Systems.

 

[JeffKeryk]

I would like to know what the intended use is. Robots are not people. On car mfg lines, because the vehicle is a box, automation is limited. Welding robots are common, of course, but humanoid?

It's thought that advanced use of robotics and automation would require big changes to the line and the box structure.
Interesting, but the article is void of specifics. Cost is everything, but people can be retrained to do many tasks.

 

[hrv]

Over the years you will see more and more of this at all plants.....

 

[Owen Lucas]

Over the years you will see more and more of this at all plants.....

Including Amazon and McDonalds.

 

[wavinwayne]

I wouldn't mind working alongside a robot, as long as it wasn't a humanoid. Those things are just creepy.

 

[Dinoburner]

How much AI in one of these things. What if it develops personality. Then do they get an SSI. Seriously, if there is a n unfortunate programing error and someone gets hurt....
.

 

[vavavroom]

General purpose? I like the sound of that. "Hey, Robby, can you get me a bratwurst, a pretzel and a dunkles? Don't forget the mustard, ya bag of nuts."

 

[slacktide_bitog]

Hopefully they don't develop the personalities of BMW drivers

 

[dumkid]

So what happens when one of them escapes the factory or goes on rampage? Most robots don't have legs and can't run around waving a machete

 

[vavavroom]

So what happens when one of them escapes the factory or goes on rampage? Most robots don't have legs and can't run around waving a machete

They'll catch it with a net.

 

[Quattro Pete]

So what happens when one of them escapes the factory or goes on rampage?

Judgement Day

 

[hrv]

Dont worry the UAW will start a new union... RAW Robot Workers of America....

 

[Falcon_LS]

Going back to the original Terminator movie in 1984, Kyle Reese told Sarah Connor "not for about 40 years" when she said they can't make "things like that" yet. Well, it is 2024.

 

[willbur]

Over the years you will see more and more of this at all plants.....

Yes- you are a deep thinker...LOL

 

[Snagglefoot]

And then when they get really advanced, they can lease a BMW.

 

[TCL]

Without blinkers?

 

[ZZman]

Robots don't spend money and buy products.

 

[tnt_motorsports]

This is a byproduct of inflation and the continued pressure on wage increases. On top of that robots don't call in sick, don't talk back and do what they are told (programmed) to do. It is the future folks, more automation and robots are on the way. Yes humans will still be required but less and less all the time. AI will be a big piece of this transition as well.

Just my $0.02