Humanoid robots are no longer science fiction fantasy—start-ups and big tech are making rapid innovations in autonomous robotics.
While Tesla’s Robot turned heads at the We, Robot Event in October 2024, a competitor has arrived. Figure AI robotics recently received praise from Jeff Bezos, and they are quickly making a mark on Big Tech.
Figure AI has already received valuations that range from $2.6 billion to $39.5 billion. These numbers didn’t appear out of thin air, as the company has already deployed human-like robotics in BMW factories and shipped orders to retail customers. Figure AI is reportedly in discussions to secure a $1.5 billion funding round, pushing its valuation to $39.5 billion, according to Bloomberg sources.
This marks a staggering 15-fold increase from its $2.6 billion post-money valuation following its $675 million Series B last year (2024). The current round is expected to be led by Align Ventures and Parkway Venture Capital.
Introduction to Figure AI
Brent Adcock founded Figure AI in 2022 with a mission to create autonomous robotics that can walk, talk, and even think similarly to humans. In just a few years, Figure AI is already showing signs that it can move and respond to voice commands.
The robotics company saw a trend of a rapidly decreasing supply of human workers in factories and warehouses. They saw this as an opportunity to create humanoid robots that can perform labor in different industries.
Figure AI’s autonomous robotics team is hitting the ground running. They are currently planning to build up to 100,000 human-like robotics machines in the near future.
Brent Adcock has quietly become a leader in human-like robotics since leaving the air taxi company Archer Aviation. Figure AI is his latest project, and the robotics company is quickly making noise in the technology world.
Recent Interview with Brent Adcock
Timestamps below:
00:00 – Who Is Brett?
01:51 – The First Startup
05:46 – SaaS to DeepTech
07:21 – Why Robots?
13:50 – The Business of Humanoids
19:06 – The Role of Nvidia in Robots
20:31 – Training Models for Bots
20:21 – OpenAI Collaboration
29:26 – Is There A Chip on Brett’s Shoulder?
31:15 – Culture at Figure
40:35 – Tesla’s Humanoid Ambitions
50:45 – Rapid Fire
What is Figure 02?
So what happens when autonomous robotics are placed inside a surprisingly human-looking frame? Meet Figure 02 from Figure AI.
The second-generation release from Figure AI robotics is the latest iteration from Brent Adcock’s team. It doesn’t disappoint.
The bipedal robot was released in August of 2024 and is currently being tested in a BMW factory in South Carolina. It already displays signs of human-level reasoning using NVIDIA GPUs and can move its legs and hands with human-like robotics.
Figure 02 is one of the most advanced humanoid robots available in the not-so-distant future.
What It Can Do
Two weeks ago, Figure’s CEO announced the end of their partnership with OpenAI and promised to show the in-house AI development – here we are:
— The Humanoid Hub (@TheHumanoidHub) February 20, 2025
Helix is a model that unifies perception, language and learned control to execute humanoid tasks by following natural language prompts. pic.twitter.com/UdyO6GMys8
Now, the moment everybody’s been waiting for. What can Figure 02 actually do? More than you may think.
Figure 02 uses human-like robotics to perform everyday responsibilities in a very human manner.
Autonomous robotics are installed into the humanoid frame, allowing the robot to move its upper and lower body. The advanced AI software enables the robot to process information like a person, and it can even hold conversations.
Figure 02 is the most advanced humanoid robot from Figure AI and can now do the following:
- Move its fingers like a human: Now with 16 degrees of freedom in its hands, the fingers can extend, bend, and grip items. This is ideal when using autonomous robotics in a factory setting.
- Hold onto items securely: The robotics company has upgraded the technology in their humanoid robot to hold onto items with strength similar to an average adult.
- See its surroundings: It can look around the room using cameras installed inside the face plate⁶.
- Have conversations with humans: AI technology allows Figure 02 to ask and answer questions and chat with people.
- Lift items and set them down: Figure AI uses human-like robotics to hold up to 44 pounds.
While Figure AI plans to supply the global workforce with 100,000 robots sometime in the next few years, no one knows how many are currently out there. It’s anybody’s guess how many Figure 02s are punching the clock at BMW and other businesses.
Is Figure AI Controlled by Humans?
One of the main critiques of Tesla’s Optimus is that many of the features are still being controlled by humans. So what about Figure AI?
Surprisingly, the Figure AI robotics bipedal robot is already using autonomous robotics to perform human-level reasoning and movements all on its own. Don’t believe us? Check it out for yourself.
How is it already possible for a robotics company to produce a humanoid robot? Figure 02 has the following autonomous capabilities:
- Innovative engineering: Figure 02 uses proprietary and custom-built technology to produce natural movements like walking. An internal drive train and cable system allows the limbs and digits to move like a human⁶, while the Figure AI robotics bi-pedal robot can use its legs to move around.
- Computer-based vision: AI technology, 6 cameras, and an internal sensor system in the face plate allow the robot to look around the room and process information.
- LLMs for reasoning: NVDA chips, Open AI research, and a proprietary LLM have helped Figure AI create a machine that can interpret data and even correct mistakes on its own.
- Internal power source: A 2.25 KWh battery is now 50% more efficient than Figure 01, allowing the robot to work for hours at a time.
What Will the Figure 02 Robot Be Able to Do in the Future?
Figure AI has already entered the autonomous robotics ring as one of the most advanced humanoid robots ever created. The robotics company continues to innovate, and there is optimism that the future is even brighter for Figure 02.
How quickly Figure 02 will adapt to new challenges is anybody’s guess. But the robotics company has designed a product that be able to:
- Learn new industrial skills: Helix AI is designed to help the humanoid robot respond to directions and adapt to workplace challenges.
- Assist at home: While it’s currently being designed for use in the workplace, there is optimism that Figure AI will eventually train the robots for domestic settings.
- Collaborate with other robots: Technology is being used to program the robots to collaborate with each other.
It’s anybody’s guess what and when Figure 02 will learn next.
What Are the Production Plans for Figure 2?
How soon can you expect to see a small army of humanoid robots in factories around the world? You’d be surprised. Figure AI wants to manufacture 100,000 robots within the next 4 years.
For now, they plan to focus on their current customer base, with large corporations like BMW and an anonymous company.
Figure 02 Design and Features
Figure 02 isn’t just smarter than its predecessor—it’s also more visually appealing, stronger, and built to last longer. The robotics company created an innovative humanoid robot with the following specifications:
- Height: 5’6”
- Weight: 54 lbs
- Maximum Load: 44 lbs
- Battery Life: 5 hrs
- Maximum Speed: 1.2 M/S
How Much Does Figure 02 Cost?
If you’re already prepared to fill out an order form for a Figure 02 robot, you may have to practice patience.
Figure AI robotics hasn’t announced a release date beyond the clients they’re working with now.
No exact price for Figure 02 is known, and experts think that it could be anywhere from $30,000 to $150,000 per robot.
AI Technology Powering Figure 02
We know that the autonomous robotics and human-level reasoning on Figure 02 are ahead of the curve. Now, it’s time to take a look under the hood.
What design features make Figure 02 fierce competition for Tesla Optimus? Here’s a look at the tech specs:
- 6 RGB cameras: The color-coded cameras help the robot recognize colors and process complex visual information.
- Vision language model: There is an on board VLM, which allows the robot to pick up visual cues to make decisions and perform tasks.
- Sensors and drive train: Sensors, gears, and cables allow the robot to move somewhat like a human.
- LLMs: Open AI research allowed Figure AI to develop a proprietary LLM that enables the robot to communicate and think on its own. It is already capable of speech-to-speech reasoning in industrial settings.
Figure 02 collaborated with Open AI in the robotics company’s early years. From February 2024 to early 2025, Open AI partnered with Figure AI to help create autonomous robotics machines.
Recently, the founder of Figure AI announced they would no longer work together, as they now have their own in-house LLM to rely on.
Figure 02 Industrial Applications
Figure 02 is already undergoing tests at a BMW plant in South Carolina. The progress is pretty remarkable, with the robots performing up to 1,000 tasks each day, as seen on this official BMW video.
Some of the logistical and manufacturing capabilities include:
- Walking autonomously to different locations.
- Understanding simple tasks.
- Picking up and setting down parts.
- Learning from mistakes.
After seeing the progress made in such a short time, it’s easy to dream up how it will impact productivity in retail, industrial, and factory businesses.
Partnerships and Collaborations
Using NVDA chips and its proprietary LLM system, Figure 02 is destined to continue to learn human-level reasoning and advanced human-like traits.
With 3x stronger computing power, Figure 02 is able to process information and react to its surroundings. This means that it should be able to continue to learn new industry-relevant tasks and conversational skills.
The results from trials with BMW showing human-like robotics have been nothing short of impressive.
How to Invest in Figure AI
Figure AI has already collaborated with some of the most respected names in business and technology. They are a privately held company, with a valuation of up to $39.5 billion. Jeff Bezos, Microsoft, and NVDA have all invested in the autonomous robotics company so far.
If you’re trying to find the stock symbol for Figure AI, you’re out of luck. You cannot currently invest in Figure AI publicly. But you can invest privately through a technology ETF like ARK Venture Fund.
Is Figure AI a public company
No, Figure AI is not publicly traded and remains a private company. The only way to invest is through private transactions. There are no announced plans for an IPO or stock exchange listing at this time.
Figure AI Robotics Future Is Bright
What this startup is doing is nothing short of amazing. In only a few years, it’s gone from a new technology company to a leader in the autonomous robotics space.
With collaboration and support from Big Tech, Figure 02 can continue to dream big.
Figure AI’s BotQ Manufacturing facility
Figure AI has unveiled BotQ, a first-generation humanoid production line capable of producing 12,000 robots per year, with plans to scale to 100,000 within four years through vertically integrated manufacturing, an in-house software infrastructure, and humanoid robots assisting in their own production to enhance automation.