Figure 02 robots retired by jumping into molten steel
Why it matters
Evidence that humanoid robots can do real factory work: BMW says Figure 02 helped build 30,000+ X3 cars at its US plant over 10 months, moving 90,000+ parts.
The facts
- Confirmed
Figure says Arnold Schwarzenegger suggested melting them. It trained the robots in simulation to jump into a vat of molten steel at a foundry in Imatra, Finland.
- Confirmed
BMW says Figure 02 helped make 30,000+ BMW X3 cars at its US plant in 10 months, moving 90,000+ parts in about 1,250 hours.
Behind the headline
- Confirmed
Figure's own goals were 84 seconds per cycle, 99%+ correct placement and no human help per shift. Its post does not give the actual results.
F.02 Contributed to the Production of 30,000 Cars at BMW (Figure AI)
- Confirmed
BMW planned a Leipzig pilot of a different humanoid, Hexagon's AEON, from summer 2026. On 21 Jul BMW said pilot projects exploring humanoid robots were already underway at its Leipzig and Spartanburg plants.
“pilot projects already underway exploring the use of humanoid robotics at Plants Leipzig and Spartanburg”