RESEARCH NEWS
Humanoid robots in automotive production
The BMW Group is consistently advancing the digitalisation and use of artificial intelligence in production. A key element in this effort is“ Physical AI”, which combines digital artificial intelligence( AI) with real machines and robots. This enables intelligent systems, such as humanoid robots, to be integrated into realworld production processes.
For the first time, the BMW Group is now bringing Physical AI to Europe and launching a pilot project with humanoid robots at its Leipzig plant in Germany. The project aims to integrate humanoid robotics into existing series production of cars and to explore further applications in the production of batteries and components.
“ Digitalisation improves the competitiveness of our production in Europe and worldwide. The symbiosis of engineering expertise and artificial intelligence opens entirely new possibilities in production,” said Milan Nedeljković, Member of the Board of Management of BMW AG, Production.
Last year, the BMW Group successfully implemented a pilot project with humanoid robots at its Spartanburg plant in the United States. The insights gained from this project are being leveraged to further develop and scale Physical AI applications. Artificial intelligence is already an integral part of the BMW Group’ s production system. From the virtual factory with digital twins and AI‐enabled quality controls to intralogistics with autonomous transport solutions, intelligent systems are used in almost all production steps.
Digital AI agents take on increasingly challenging tasks autonomously and in complex environments while continuously learning and becoming available for additional areas of application. The introduction of intelligent and autonomous decision‐making agents marks a paradigm shift in production. In combination with robots, these digital AI agents are what make up Physical AI.
Humanoid Robotics at BMW Group Plant Leipzig in Germany.
The BMW Group is strategically expanding its automation portfolio to include Physical AI and humanoid robotics. Humanoid robots are viewed as a value‐adding complement to existing automation. They particularly demonstrate potential in monotonous, ergonomically demanding or safety‐critical tasks. The goal is to relieve employees and further improve working conditions.
By setting up its new“ Centre of Competence for Physical AI in Production”, the BMW Group is taking the next step in consolidating its expertise and ensuring that the full range of knowledge can be leveraged across the organisation. Technology partners are evaluated according to defined maturity and industrialisation criteria and tested in pilot projects under real-world production conditions.
First pilot project with humanoid robots in Europe
In collaboration with Hexagon, a long‐standing, established partner of the BMW Group in sensor technology and software, the first pilot project in Europe is now underway. Hexagon’ s organisational unit in Zürich, Hexagon Robotics, specialises in Physical AI and presented its first humanoid robot, AEON, in June 2025. Following an initial theoretical evaluation phase and successful laboratory tests, there was an initial test deployment at BMW Group Plant Leipzig in December 2025. A further test deployment is planned from April 2026 to ensure full integration for the actual pilot phase starting in summer 2026.
The deployment in Leipzig is focusing on testing a multifunctional application of the robot. It is based on AEON’ s design, whose human‐like body allows a wide range of hand and gripper elements or scanning tools to be flexibly attached and enables dynamic use on wheels. During testing and later in the pilot phase, the robot will be used in the assembly of high‐voltage batteries and in component manufacturing. n
Mobile factory builds home in ten days
A family home has been built from scratch in all weathers over ten days as University of Sheffield specialists in the UK demonstrated a revolutionary‘ factory-in-a-box’ system. Funded by the South Yorkshire Mayoral Combined Authority( SYMCA), researchers
Factory in a box. demonstrated the speed and simplicity with which a home can be built.
In partnership with Seismic Group Ltd, the University’ s factory-in-a-box system transports its kit of parts directly to the construction site. This approach deploys a rapidly assembled manufacturing facility, or factory, under a temporary, weather-shielded canopy. By building directly on-site, the system eliminates logistical hurdles while protecting the entire construction process from the elements.
“ This temporary canopy can be rapidly moved as each new home is completed, minimising weather-related disruption and supporting precision fabrication similar to that used in permanent modular factories,” explained the university.
Ben Hughes, a Professor of Energy Engineering at the University of Sheffield’ s Energy Innovation Centre, added:“ Our factory-in-a-box demonstrator is designed to deliver high-quality, sustainable homes in all weathers, in a matter of weeks, that can be deployed at pace and scale.”
The next steps are to work with local partners, local authorities and housing associations to develop a local supply chain capable of delivering at scale using precisionengineered production techniques to meet UK demand. n
https:// sheffield. ac. uk
18 | ismr. net | ISMR April 2026