Figure AI, a California-based robotics company, has made history by deploying its humanoid robot, Figure 02, with its first commercial client. This marks a key moment in robotics, as humanoid robots transition from research and development into practical industrial applications.
Brett Adcock, founder and CEO of Figure AI, shared the news on LinkedIn: “Exciting news—today, Figure officially became a revenue-generating company! This week, we delivered F.02 humanoid robots to our commercial client, and they’re currently hard at work.”
The deployment builds on extensive development and rigorous testing, though the client’s identity and specific tasks remain undisclosed.
From Concept to Deployment: Figure AI’s Journey
Figure AI emerged from stealth in January 2023, quickly establishing itself as a leader in humanoid robotics. By October 2023, it introduced its first prototype, Figure 01, which underwent trials at BMW’s Spartanburg, S.C., facility. During these trials, the robot demonstrated its ability to handle fitted sheet-metal parts autonomously on production lines, a task that requires precision and adaptability.
Figure 02, unveiled in August as an upgraded version to the first model offers enhanced mobility, dexterity, and AI-driven decision-making. These improvements positioned the robot for real-world deployment. Adcock reflected on the company’s rapid progress, stating, “It marks 31 months from filing our C-Corp to getting to humanoid robot revenue.”
AI Integration: Bridging the Gap Between Robots and Humans
A standout feature of Figure 02 is its integration with OpenAI’s natural language processing (NLP) capabilities. This enables the robot to interpret spoken instructions, engage in contextual dialogue, and make autonomous decisions. By leveraging AI, Figure 02 can adapt dynamically to various industrial settings, moving beyond static programming.
OpenAI’s collaboration with Figure AI aligns with its broader vision of advancing robotics. The partnership enhances Figure 02’s ability to interact seamlessly with human workers, fostering a more collaborative and efficient workplace environment. In November, OpenAI onboarded Caitlin Kalinowski, the engineering specialist behind Meta’s augmented reality hardware, to take charge of its consumer hardware and robotics efforts.
Broader Context: Humanoid Robotics on the Rise
Figure AI’s achievement is part of a larger wave of advancements in humanoid robotics. Companies like Agility Robotics, Boston Dynamics, and Tesla are pushing the boundaries of what robots can achieve, with applications ranging from warehouse automation to complex manufacturing tasks.
The market for humanoid robots is set for rapid growth amid advancements in artificial intelligence. According to ABI Research, the industry is projected to grow at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 96% between 2022 and 2030, with annual shipments expected to increase from 1,000 units in 2025 to 182,000 units by 2030. This surge reflects the growing demand for intelligent automation in industries worldwide.
However, challenges persist. Safety standards, cost optimization, and scalable use cases remain critical barriers to widespread adoption. Gartner’s latest “hype cycle” places humanoid robotics at an early stage, indicating that the technology is still maturing.
The Role of Genesis Simulator in Accelerating Robotics
Figure’s humanoid robots and other robotics projects are expected to evolve more quickly by using autonomous learning capabilities like those offered by the recently revealed Genesis simulator, which places them into a virtual training environment.
Genesis provides a virtual platform for robots, enabling them to acquire skills at speeds up to 81 times faster than real-world conditions. This allows robots to undergo decades of training in mere hours.
Jim Fan, co-author of the Genesis project, highlighted its potential: “One hour of compute time gives a robot 10 years of training experience. That’s how Neo was able to learn martial arts in a blink of an eye in the Matrix Dojo.” This capability has significant implications for reducing the time and cost associated with robotic training and deployment.
Genesis’s text-to-world generation feature further enhances its utility. By transforming natural language descriptions into dynamic 3D environments, the simulator enables researchers to design and test complex scenarios with unprecedented ease.
Future Challenges and Opportunities
The deployment of Figure 02 and the emergence of tools like Genesis underscore the transformative potential of AI-powered robotics. Together, these advancements are reshaping industries by enabling faster training, greater adaptability, and seamless collaboration between humans and machines.
Yet, the path forward is not without obstacles. Ethical concerns, such as job displacement and algorithmic bias, require careful consideration. Open-source platforms like Genesis may help address these issues by promoting transparency and accountability in AI development.
