--- title: "These Robots Built BMWs, Then Hurled Themselves Into Molten Steel" date: "2026-10-06" modified: "2026-10-06" authors: - name: "Adam Ismail" job_title: "Senior Editor" link: "https://www.thedrive.com/authors/adam-ismail.md" url: "https://www.thedrive.com/news/these-robots-built-bmws-then-hurled-themselves-into-molten-steel" categories: - "Car Tech" - "Manufacturing" - "News" --- # These Robots Built BMWs, Then Hurled Themselves Into Molten Steel ![Figure F.02 robot jumps into a vat of molten steel]() *\Figure AI\* The world of robotics is a strange one. If you want proof, consider that Figure AI, a startup formed in 2022 that builds humanoid robots and is *already valued at $39 billion*, asked the world how it should dispose of its now-obsolete F.02 models. (The car hook here, by the way, is that [BMW]() supposedly [employed at least one F.02]() at its South Carolina plant.) Rather than dismantling them, Figure ended up honoring them with the full T-1000 send-off, flinging 'em into a vat of molten steel. Now look—there are a lot of weird and barely believable things in this world, especially today. When I first heard about this, I was extremely skeptical. [But Figure claims]() they really had these robots hurl themselves to a gooey, fiery death. It started at the company's San Jose HQ, where the fleet was trained on the choreography of stuntpeople, and subjected to repeated test falls, dives, and flips onto massive airbags. It was all architected with computer simulations. Figure said it ultimately found one foundry in Finland that was willing to let them pull this stunt, after all the ones they rang up in the U.S. and Mexico turned them away. "In an age of AI-generated footage, it’s worth being clear," the company emphasized. "We really trained robots to jump autonomously, shipped them to Finland, and had them leap into a vat of molten steel. We hope you enjoy the film." [Watch the whole thing]() (also embedded below), and you won't be surprised who's under the aluminized foundry gear. Well, I suppose the thumbnail gives it away. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pfAh5oQDPDM Yeah, apparently this whole idea came out of Arnold's head, and he made the journey up north to be a part of the moment. After short, hard lives toiling over German luxury automobiles, the robots' remnants have been repurposed into "[limited-edition artifacts]()" that anyone can buy. Smaller-scale, $500 mementos are still available, by the way. Figure says just a few F.02 units remain in storage. Let's hope they stay there and never find out about what happened to their brethren, or else we'll all have hell to pay. *Got a news tip? Reach out to tips@thedrive.com* ## Author Adam is a Senior Editor at The Drive, concentrating on curating and developing the site's slate of daily journalism, from initial pitch to final copy edit. When he's not at his desk researching leads and working with writers, he's testing vehicles or reviewing racing games, new and old. He joined The Drive in 2023, following seven years of covering consumer technology and cars. A car lover and gamer since his earliest memories, Adam came to know the automotive world through video games. First it was Daytona USA, Sega Rally, and Ridge Racer; then came Need For Speed, which inspired an encyclopedic knowledge of '90s supercars, and, of course, Gran Turismo. If not for them, he'd assuredly be doing something else right now. Adam is based in the suburbs outside Philly, where there are ample roads for his hot hatch to stretch its legs. In his car, he's probably listening to indie rock, drum and bass, or Yankees baseball. ### Author social links [Bluesky]() [Instagram]() [LinkedIn]()