“Our ambition is to be a technology leader and to integrate new technologies into production at an early stage. Pilot projects help us to test and further develop the use of Physical AI – that is, AI-supported, learning humanoid robots – under real industrial conditions.”
First pilot project with humanoid robots in Europe. Together with Hexagon, a long-standing and established partner of the BMW Group in the field of sensor technology and software, the first pilot project in Europe is now underway.
Hexagon’s Robotics Division, headquartered in Zurich, specialises in Physical AI and presented its first humanoid robot, AEON, in June 2025. Following an initial theoretical evaluation phase and successful laboratory tests, a first test deployment was conducted at the BMW Group Plant Leipzig in December 2025. A further test deployment is planned from April 2026, during which BMW will deploy AEON to the factory floor, to ensure full integration for the actual pilot phase starting in summer 2026.
“We are very pleased to be working with the BMW Group to advance the use of humanoid robots in real-world environments. The variety of the planned use cases will demonstrate the uniqueness of our sensor suite and the versatility of AEON. Together with BMW, we will continue to push the boundaries of Physical AI.”
The focus of the deployment in Leipzig is on testing a multifunctional application of the robot. The basis is AEON’s design, whose human-like body allows a wide range of hand and gripping elements or scanning tools to be flexibly attached and enables dynamic use on wheels. During testing and later in the pilot phase, AEON is expected to be deployed in high-voltage battery assembly and component manufacturing.
“We are delighted to deploy a humanoid robot for the first time in a pilot project at a plant in Germany. Following evaluation by our Centre of Competence for Physical AI in Production, tests were conducted in the laboratory and at Plant Leipzig at the end of last year. This year, our focus is on step-by-step integration into our production system in order to explore a wide range of applications. The emphasis is on researching multifunctional use of the robot in various production areas such as battery manufacturing for energy modules and component production for exterior parts. With Hexagon's Robotics division, we have found a proven long-standing partner with a highly innovative approach to humanoid robotics for this project.”