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BMW pilots humanoid robots in Germany as China challengers rise
BMW will trial humanoid robots at a German factory as it tests AI-powered automation amid rising competition linked to Chinese robot makers.
Milan Nedeljkovic, BMW’s incoming chairman and the current head of production, said the robot is capable of making its own decisions and operating in a manufacturing environment.
Chinese firm Unitree recently demonstrated coordinated humanoid robots during a visit by German Chancellor Friedrich Merz, highlighting mounting competition and concerns about automation and jobs in Europe.
🔗 Source: South China Morning Post
🧠 Food for thought
Implications, context, and why it matters.
BMW joins the humanoid robot race
- BMW is entering a path other automakers have already explored.
- Honda’s ASIMO and Toyota’s T-HR3 have appeared in manufacturing settings, with demos for assembly or inspection tasks 1.
- BMW said the humanoid it is testing costs in the hundreds of thousands of euros, while Chinese firm Unitree lists its G1 starting at $13.5K 2.
- The wide price gap helps explain why legacy carmakers are speeding up automation plans.
Humanoid robots could change factory work and layouts
- BMW said it has no current plans for workforce cuts, though automation often shifts duties over time.
- Plants may add jobs in robotics engineering, AI development, or upkeep, which would require large reskilling efforts 1.
- Humanoid systems can add flexibility on the line since they can take on new assignments through software updates 1.
- That versatility can help factories switch between models with less retooling, which can also smooth supply chain planning 1.
Recent BMW developments
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