BMW employs humanoid robots to build EVs and hybrids

BMW calling humanoid robots the 'future' of production is a significant statement from a manufacturer that has historically invested heavily in precision human craftsmanship as part of its brand identity. The pilot program in Germany puts this squarely in the context of a workforce that has strong union representation, so how this rolls out politically and practically will matter as much as the technology itself. What's worth watching is whether these robots are being deployed for the genuinely dangerous or ergonomically punishing tasks, or whether this is the thin end of a wedge aimed at labor cost reduction — the article's framing around EV and hybrid lines suggests BMW is using the transition to new powertrains as a natural moment to rethink the factory floor entirely.