Humanoid robots are entering car factories, but they're still slow

会走路、会说话的机器人即将进入汽车工厂

BMW, Hyundai, Tesla and others are testing humanoid robots for basic tasks like sorting parts and moving materials. BMW's robot is still slow and stiff but improving fast. Hyundai's Georgia plant already uses robot dogs and autonomous carriers, with Boston Dynamics humanoids next. Tesla is betting big on Optimus, even pausing some car production to make room for robot manufacturing. The article warns that simpler, cheaper automation often works better for these tasks—humanoid robots can be a million-dollar solution to a hundred-dollar problem. The FCC banned Chinese humanoid robot imports last month; China has a clear cost and supply-chain edge.

Why it matters: NYT field report on humanoid robot deployment at three automakers, with concrete progress and skeptical pushback — high information density. Score capped because it's a trend roundup rather than a breakthrough scoop, and the 'cheaper traditional automation' angle isn't new.