From Yahoo Finance: 2025-05-04 11:04:00

Figure AI, a robotics company, secured $675 million in funding, bringing its valuation to $2.6 billion. Major tech players like Jeff Bezos, Microsoft, Nvidia, OpenAI, and Intel are backing the startup. Figure AI aims to create fully autonomous humanoid robots for various physical tasks previously done by humans.

The latest model, Figure 02, boasts advanced features like integrated cabling, real-time computing power, and conversational AI. It can lift up to 55 pounds and is undergoing testing at BMW’s factory. UPS is in talks to integrate Figure AI’s humanoid robots into its logistics infrastructure, potentially pioneering humanoid labor at an industrial scale.

UPS is looking towards humanoid robots to enhance operational efficiency amid declining package volumes and economic pressures. The company plans to cut 20,000 jobs and close 73 facilities to save $3.5 billion. Brett Adcock, Figure AI’s founder, envisions a future where robots work alongside or independently from humans across various industries.

Competitors like Optimus by Tesla and Agility Robotics’ Digit are also in the humanoid race. However, with strong backing from top AI labs, chipmakers, and billionaires, Figure AI is leading the way in bringing humanoid labor from science fiction to reality. The company’s mission is to bridge the gap where human labor falls short, offering solutions for industrial challenges.



Read more at Yahoo Finance: UPS Explores Humanoid Robots As Figure AI Secures $675M From Jeff Bezos, OpenAI, And Intel, Targeting $9B Revenue By 2029