Figure 02, the latest humanoid robot from Figure AI, is set to revolutionize the workforce and replace human workers.

This new AI powered robot demonstrated a massive leap forward in robotics, even since the previous iteration, Figure 01, released in 2023. 

Figure AI is the company behind the Figure 01 robot, was founded in 2022 by Brett Adcock, the company is dedicated to developing advanced AI-powered humanoid robots. 

The $2.6 billion robotics startup, Figure AI, is backed by the likes of Jeff Bezos, Nvidia and Microsoft. The company has also forged a strategic partnership with OpenAI, which allows them to integrate the Open AI large language models into its robots, enabling more natural and complex interactions.

"Autonomous humanoid workers"

The goal is to ‘deploy autonomous humanoid workers’ that will support humans on a global scale. The team behind Figure AI aims to address the ‘10 million unfilled jobs’ in the United States, with a particular focus on the approximately 7 million job openings that are in essential warehouses, transportation and retail positions.

As part of his ‘master plan’, founder Brett Adcok says he hopes that the Figure robots will ‘eliminate the need for unsafe and undesirable jobs’ and ultimately allow humans to live ‘happier, more purposeful lives.’

He is confident that these robots that can ‘think, learn, reason, and interact with their environments’ will eventually outperform humans and has hopes that ‘humans could leave the loop’ when these robots become capable of building other robots.

The initial focus is robots built for manufacturing, carrying out ‘structured and repetitive tasks’. However, as the robots continue to advance they will be able to take on more complex job functions, first within the manufacturing and shipping industries before expanding to cover ‘corporate labor roles (3+ billion humans), to assisting individuals in the home (2+ billion)’ and ‘caring for the elderly (~1 billion)’.

The ‘master plan’ makes it clear that Adcock’s focus is for the robots to take on ‘jobs that humans don’t want to perform’ rather than replace human workers.

What’s new with the Figure 02 robot?

The latest version of FigureAI’s humanoid robot, Figure 02, has increased its computational threefold since its previous model threefold, enabling it to tackle complex tasks autonomously. 

Its advanced vision is facilitated by six onboard cameras, paired with an ability to perceive and understand. This heightened understanding is paired with the advanced communication capabilities, supported by OpenAI’s large language models as well as microphones and speakers.

The Figure 02 robot has also undergone significant physical upgrades, including increased hand dexterity with 16 degrees of freedom per hand, allow for precise manipulation of objects. Strength has doubled compared to its predecessor, with the capacity to lift up to 25 kilograms. To support these demanding operations, the battery life has been extended by over 50% to 5 hours.

The advanced Figure 02 robot has successfully completed trials at BMW's Spartanburg plant, demonstrating its ability to perform complex tasks with precision and efficiency. By handling repetitive and physically demanding duties, Figure 02 frees up human workers to focus on higher-level tasks, enhancing overall productivity and job satisfaction.

As humanoid robots become increasingly sophisticated, it's important to address ethical implications. Issues such as job displacement, privacy, and the potential misuse of technology need careful consideration.

Read: What is XAI? Explainable AI Explained

Figure AI emphasises the importance of developing robots that support human capabilities rather than replace them, but balancing economic growth with social responsibility will be crucial.