In today’s world, where labor shortages are becoming increasingly prevalent across various industries, the integration of automation and robotics has become a necessity for businesses to improve their bottom line. Recently, AI robotics startup Figure unveiled the world’s first commercially available general-purpose humanoid robot named Figure O1, which aims to address these labor shortages by providing an efficient and adaptable workforce.
The prototype of the robot resembling Tesla’s Optimus can acquire new knowledge and skills over time, enabling it to perform more complex tasks and operate in a wide range of environments. It is equipped with sensors and other devices to perceive and respond to its surroundings, such as navigating through a warehouse or picking up objects in a manufacturing plant.
Figure’s main objective is to address the labor shortages in the manufacturing, logistics, warehousing, and retail industries by providing an efficient and adaptable workforce. By deploying these robots, companies can reduce their dependence on human labor, increase productivity, and improve their bottom line.
The startup company was founded in 2022 by Brett Adcock, the Founder of Archer Aviation and online job recruitment platform Vettery, to revolutionize the robotics sector. According to Adcock, automation is required to boost productivity and maintain economic growth since millions of jobs are considered risky in today’s workforce, leading to unprecedented labor shortages.
Adcock has great confidence in the technology and believes it will impact the most significant industry globally by contributing to research in AI and robotics to promote a positive AI future for humanity.
The Figure team comprises 40 industry leaders with over 100 years of collective experience in AI and humanoid technologies, including members of Boston Dynamics, Tesla, IHMC, GoogleX, Cruise, and Apple SPG professional networks.
Dr. Jerry Pratt is the chief technology officer with two decades of experience in humanoid technology from IHMC. Michael Rose, a former Apple engineer, and Gabe Nelson, a Google roboticist, are the chief scientists.
The Figure team built a full-scale humanoid robot in six months and plans to start testing it soon. The launch of Figure O1 marks a significant milestone for the robotics sector, paving the way for a future where automation and AI are seamlessly integrated into various industries, benefiting both businesses and the workforce.