After Mercedes-Benz, it's BMW's turn to use humanoid robots to work in its manufacturing plants.

Figure, a California-based robotics company, was founded in 2022 with the goal of developing humanoid robots that operate in a variety of fields such as manufacturing, logistics, warehousing, and even retail.

The company hopes to create a team of robots to fill jobs that are facing a severe labor shortage.

Recently, Figure has introduced a new version of the humanoid robot called Figure 02, with the highlight being the integration of ChatGPT artificial intelligence. This AI feature allows the robot to self-correct and learn from experience whenever it encounters errors during operation.

Figure 02 is fully electric, weighs about 70kg and is 1.68m tall. This robot can move on two legs and flexible arms, can carry, grasp and move objects like human hands.

The robot's head is equipped with 6 cameras and a processor capable of high-speed calculations, helping the robot automatically navigate and move to avoid obstacles. The integration of ChatGPT helps the robot operate autonomously and perform assigned tasks without human intervention.

Figure said that the Figure 02 robot has been tested at BMW's car factory in Spartanburg, South Carolina, USA, with the task of inserting cast metal into car assembly equipment.

“With early trials, we are identifying applications where humanoid robots can be applied in production,” said a BMW representative. “We want to accompany this technology from the development stage to practical implementation.”

Figure's goal is to create humanoid robots that can replace workers in highly dangerous manual tasks.

“With humanoid robots in the workforce, we will be able to create and produce more, address the severe labor shortage and reduce workers in unsafe jobs,” said a Figure representative.

Figure is currently receiving investment from many technology giants such as Microsoft, Nvidia, Intel and Jeff Bezos, with the startup valued at 2.6 billion USD.