10/16/2026

Walking, Talking Factory Robots Are Here, But Humans Are Still Faster. For Now

Source: Fleet Management Weekly

Humanoid robots are supposed to revolutionize car production, eventually handling tedious jobs without breaks, benefits or complaints. There’s just one small problem. Right now, some aren’t actually very good at it.

The robot, built by Figure AI, has been trialed at BMW’s Spartanburg plant moving components from containers into trolleys. It can walk, grab parts and haul the trolley around, but BMW logistics VP Ulrich Wieland told the New York Times that “they’re still slower than humans,” while stressing that development is moving quickly.

Modern car factories are already heavily automated, potentially limiting how much productivity humanoids can unlock.

via CarScoops