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Humanoid robots are becoming more advanced and closer to reality, thanks to the efforts of Figure AI, an AI robotics company that aims to address labor shortages and support supply chains. The company has announced a massive Series B funding round and a strategic partnership with OpenAI, a leading AI research organization.
Figure AI: The Future of Humanoid Robots
Figure AI was founded in 2022 by Brett Adcock, who is also the CEO of the company. Based in Sunnyvale, California, the company has a team of top robotics experts from Tesla, Google DeepMind, Boston Dynamics, and Archer Aviation. The company’s flagship product is Figure 01, a general-purpose humanoid robot that can perform various tasks and has movements similar to humans.
The company’s vision is to bring humanoid robots into commercial operations as soon as possible and to make a transformative impact on humanity. Figure AI currently serves clients in the US, and plans to expand globally in the future.
According to the company’s website, Figure 01 is designed to be adaptable, reliable, and safe. The robot has a modular design that allows it to swap different tools and sensors depending on the task. The robot also has a high-performance computing system that enables it to run complex AI models and process large amounts of data. The robot is equipped with a range of sensors, such as cameras, lidars, and microphones, that allow it to perceive and interact with its environment. The robot can also communicate with humans using natural language and gestures.
Some of the use cases that Figure AI envisions for its humanoid robot include warehouse automation, manufacturing assistance, retail service, hospitality, and healthcare. The company claims that its robot can reduce operational costs, increase productivity, and improve customer satisfaction.
Figure AI Raises $675 Million in Series B Funding
On February 29, Figure AI announced that it had raised $675 million in Series B funding at a $2.6 billion valuation. The funding round was led by OpenAI Startup Fund, Microsoft, Jeff Bezos (via Bezos Expeditions), Parkway Venture Capital, Intel Capital, Nvidia, ARK Invest, and Align Ventures.
The new capital will be used to scale up AI training and robot manufacturing, expand engineering headcount, and advance commercial deployment efforts. Figure AI will also leverage Microsoft Azure for AI infrastructure, training, and storage.
The funding round also reflects the growing interest and investment in humanoid robots and AI. According to a report by MarketsandMarkets, the humanoid robot market is valued at $1.8 billion in 2023 and is predicted to increase to more than $13 billion over the next five years. The report cites the increasing demand for humanoid robots in the service industry, education, and healthcare, as well as the advancements in AI and machine learning technologies.
Figure AI Partners with OpenAI to Develop Next-Gen AI Models
Along with the funding, Figure AI has also agreed to collaborate with OpenAI to develop next-generation AI models for humanoid robots. This will combine OpenAI’s cutting-edge research with Figure AI’s deep understanding of robotics hardware and software.
The partnership aims to help Figure AI accelerate its timeline by enhancing the capabilities of humanoid robots to process and reason from language. This will enable the robots to interact more naturally and intelligently with humans and their environment.
OpenAI is a well-known AI research group responsible for creating impressive AI advancements like ChatGPT, a strong model for processing natural language that can produce various and coherent texts. OpenAI is also famous for aiming to develop artificial general intelligence (AGI), which is the capability of a machine to comprehend and complete any intellectual task a human can.
Peter Welinder, VP of Product and Partnerships at OpenAI, expressed excitement about returning to robotics with Figure and the potential of humanoid robots powered by advanced multimodal models. He looks forward to collaborating with Figure to innovate and enhance the role of robots in daily life.
Humanoid robots are one of the most exciting and challenging frontiers of AI and robotics. With Figure AI’s impressive funding and partnership with OpenAI, the future of humanoid robots looks brighter than ever.
