Mercedes-Benz has partnered with robotics firm Apptronik to explore using humanoid robots in its manufacturing plants. A Mercedes-Benz executive believes the current technology is too slow and lacks the flexibility required for vehicle production.

At BMW’s sprawling plant in Spartanburg, South Carolina, a humanoid robot called Figure 02 has been clocking 10-hour shifts on the assembly line, picking up sheet-metal parts and placing them into fixtures alongside human workers.

Walker S2 is an adult-sized humanoid robot with legs, a torso, and arms. China is sending these robots to patrol their border with Vietnam.

Chinese startups are churning out more humanoid robots than their U.S. rivals, despite far lower valuations.