Humanoid Robots Invade Car Factories
This page is translated from the original post "Les robots humanoïdes envahissent les usines automobiles" in French.
- 25/08/2025 13:39
Humanoid robots that build cars are no longer a myth of science fiction, but a reality.
In the factories of the future, automation will no longer be limited to repetitive mechanical arms. For instance, 2025 already sees the arrival of humanoid robots capable of walking, manipulating, and collaborating with humans.
Leading this revolution, Atlas, a product of the collaboration between Boston Dynamics and the Toyota Research Institute (TRI), makes a strong impression. Humanoid and autonomous, Atlas combines object manipulation and locomotion through complex sequences, thanks to Large Behavior Models (LBM). It can stack, assemble, and move parts without a human having to code each action. Toyota sees Atlas as a tool to make its lines more flexible and responsive to new series and models.
Tesla is not lagging behind. Its humanoid robot Optimus, introduced as early as 2021, is designed to tackle repetitive and sometimes dangerous tasks. Capable of walking, lifting objects, and navigating complex environments, Optimus was filmed in May 2025 in action in a Tesla factory, sometimes under teleoperation. The goal? Thousands of units produced by the end of the year and ultimately, one million Optimus units per year.
BMW is also exploring this technological frontier with Figure 02, tested in its Spartanburg factory. This autonomous robot can insert metal parts, use tools, lift loads, and even climb stairs. Designed to work hand in hand with humans, Figure 02 reduces the risks associated with physical tasks and paves the way for safe and efficient collaboration.
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If these robots are not yet everywhere, they show the direction: factories populated with intelligent, adaptive, and versatile robots capable of transforming industrial production. The era when mechanical arms merely repeated actions is over: welcome to the age of humanoids that learn, adapt, and collaborate.
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