Figure
Building general purpose humanoid robots to help people work and live better
Overview
Figure is a pioneering humanoid robotics company founded in 2022 that is developing advanced autonomous general-purpose robots. The company's flagship product, Figure 01, is a sophisticated humanoid robot designed to work alongside humans in various commercial and industrial environments.
Based in Sunnyvale, California, Figure has rapidly established itself as one of the most promising and well-funded robotics startups in the world. The company focuses on creating robots that can perform physical labor, learn new tasks, and operate safely in human environments.
With a team comprising top talent from Boston Dynamics, Tesla, Google DeepMind, and other leading technology companies, Figure is pushing the boundaries of what's possible in commercial humanoid robotics, with the goal of addressing labor shortages and increasing productivity across multiple sectors.
Company Details
Mission & Vision
Mission: To expand human capabilities through advanced AI-powered robotics, creating general purpose humanoid robots that can work alongside people to make lives better.
Vision: Figure envisions a world where intelligent humanoid robots help solve global challenges like labor shortages, workplace safety, and productivity, while supporting humans in both industrial and everyday tasks.
The company is driven by the belief that humanoid robots represent the optimal form factor for navigating and working in environments designed for humans. Figure aims to develop robots that can safely integrate into human spaces, learn from human demonstration, and perform a wide variety of physical tasks across industries.
Core Values
- Human-centered design and safety
- Cutting-edge technological innovation
- Practical and commercially viable solutions
- Responsible AI and robotics development
- Addressing real-world challenges through automation
Products & Solutions
Figure's product development focuses on creating versatile humanoid robots capable of performing various physical tasks in commercial and industrial settings. The company's approach emphasizes safety, adaptability, and practical commercial applications.
Figure 01 Humanoid Robot
Figure's flagship product is the Figure 01, an advanced general-purpose humanoid robot designed for commercial applications:
- Height: Approximately 5'6" (168 cm)
- Weight: Around 130 pounds (60 kg)
- Movement: Bipedal locomotion with dynamic balance and obstacle navigation
- Manipulation: Dexterous hands with precision grip capabilities
- Sensors: Advanced vision systems, force sensors, and proprioceptive sensing
- Processing: Onboard AI systems for autonomous operation
- Power: High-density battery system for extended operation
- Learning: Capable of learning new tasks through demonstration and reinforcement learning
Robot Operating System
Proprietary AI-driven operating system that enables Figure robots to perceive environments, make decisions, and execute complex physical tasks safely and efficiently.
Task Learning Framework
Software platform that allows Figure robots to learn new tasks through human demonstration, reinforcement learning, and simulation, significantly reducing programming requirements.
Safety Middleware
Comprehensive safety systems that enable Figure robots to operate safely alongside humans in shared workspaces, with advanced collision avoidance and force limitation.
Fleet Management Platform
Cloud-based system for deploying, monitoring, and managing multiple Figure robots across commercial facilities, with analytics and optimization capabilities.
Technology
Figure's technological approach integrates cutting-edge advancements in AI, robotics, materials science, and control systems to create humanoid robots that can operate effectively in real-world environments. The company's technical foundation spans multiple disciplines and combines both hardware and software innovations.
Core Technical Capabilities
- Advanced Locomotion - Dynamic walking and balance control systems that enable stable bipedal movement across various terrains and environments
- Dexterous Manipulation - High-precision hand and arm systems capable of complex grasping, lifting, and manipulation tasks requiring human-like dexterity
- Computer Vision & Perception - Multi-modal sensing systems that provide comprehensive environmental awareness, object recognition, and spatial understanding
- Distributed Motor Control - Proprietary actuator and control systems that enable precise, force-controlled movements with high power efficiency
- Large Language Model Integration - Implementation of advanced LLMs to enable natural language understanding and contextually appropriate responses
- Reinforcement Learning - AI systems that allow robots to learn complex tasks through trial and error in both simulated and real environments
- Imitation Learning - Capabilities that enable robots to learn tasks by observing human demonstrations, significantly reducing programming requirements
A key differentiator in Figure's approach is the seamless integration of these technologies into a cohesive system designed for commercial applications. The company's focus on practical deployment has led to innovations in reliability, safety, and ease of operation that are essential for real-world robotics applications.
Figure has also developed proprietary simulation environments that enable accelerated learning and testing of robotic systems before deployment in physical environments, significantly reducing development time and increasing reliability.
Leadership Team
Brett Adcock
Founder & CEO
Serial entrepreneur who previously founded Archer Aviation (NYSE: ACHR), an urban air mobility company, and Vettery, a talent marketplace acquired by The Adecco Group. Brett has raised over $1 billion in capital for his ventures.
Jerry Pratt, Ph.D.
Chief Science Officer
Renowned roboticist with extensive experience in bipedal locomotion and balance control. Previously led humanoid robotics research at IHMC, where his team consistently placed among the top performers in the DARPA Robotics Challenge.
Sydney Hwa
Chief Technology Officer
Former senior engineering leader at Boston Dynamics with expertise in robotics hardware development, system integration, and production engineering for advanced robots.
Corey Lynch
Head of AI
AI researcher and engineer with expertise in robotic learning systems. Previously at Google DeepMind and Anthropic, focusing on reinforcement learning and robotic control systems.
Figure's leadership team combines expertise from the fields of robotics, AI, aerospace, manufacturing, and entrepreneurship. The company has assembled a diverse group of technical leaders from organizations like Boston Dynamics, Tesla, Google DeepMind, Waymo, and Apple, creating a multidisciplinary team capable of tackling the complex challenges of humanoid robotics.
Innovation Highlights
Figure has achieved several significant technical milestones in the development of commercially viable humanoid robots, demonstrating rapid progress since the company's founding in 2022.
First Steps (June 2023)
Demonstrated the first walking capabilities of Figure 01, showcasing stable bipedal locomotion just months after beginning hardware development, a remarkably accelerated timeline compared to industry standards.
Coffee Making Demonstration (December 2023)
Released a video showing Figure 01 autonomously making coffee, demonstrating complex manipulation, perception, and task execution capabilities in a standard human environment.
OpenAI Integration (February 2024)
Partnered with OpenAI to integrate advanced language models with Figure's robotics platform, enabling more intuitive human-robot interaction and improving the robot's ability to understand and execute complex verbal instructions.
BMW Manufacturing Partnership (March 2024)
Announced a commercial agreement with BMW to deploy Figure robots in automotive manufacturing facilities, marking one of the first major commercial deployments of general-purpose humanoid robots in industrial settings.
Human-Robot Conversation (April 2024)
Demonstrated Figure 01's ability to engage in natural conversation while performing physical tasks, showcasing the integration of language understanding, computer vision, and physical control systems.
These achievements highlight Figure's rapid technical progress and focus on commercial applications. By prioritizing practical capabilities and real-world deployment, the company has differentiated itself in the humanoid robotics field, moving beyond research demonstrations toward viable commercial solutions.
Funding & Growth
Figure has secured substantial funding from leading investors, allowing the company to rapidly advance its humanoid robotics technology and prepare for commercial deployment.
September 2022
$70 million Seed Round
Initial funding led by Parkway Venture Capital to establish the company and begin development of Figure's humanoid robotics platform.
May 2023
$100 million Series A
Led by Valor Equity Partners with participation from Baillie Gifford, Parkway Venture Capital, and BOLD Capital Partners, valuing the company at approximately $640 million.
February 2024
$500+ million Series B
Major funding round led by Microsoft and OpenAI, with participation from NVIDIA, Jeff Bezos (through Bezos Expeditions), Parkway Venture Capital, Intel Capital, and others. This round valued Figure at approximately $2.6 billion.
This substantial funding has enabled Figure to:
- Expand its team to over 400 employees with expertise in robotics, AI, engineering, and manufacturing
- Establish advanced production facilities for prototype development and initial manufacturing
- Accelerate the development of Figure 01 from concept to working prototype in under 12 months
- Form strategic partnerships with key technology and manufacturing companies
- Prepare for initial commercial deployments in select industries
The significant investment from technology leaders like Microsoft, OpenAI, and NVIDIA highlights the strategic importance of Figure's approach to humanoid robotics and the potential market impact of their technology.
Careers at Figure
Figure is rapidly growing its team across multiple disciplines, seeking talented individuals passionate about advancing humanoid robotics and bringing general-purpose robots to commercial applications.
Key areas of recruitment
- Robotics engineers and researchers
- AI and machine learning specialists
- Computer vision engineers
- Mechanical and electrical engineers
- Software developers (embedded, systems, and applications)
- Hardware engineers
- Manufacturing and operations experts
- Product managers with robotics experience
- Business development and commercial deployment specialists
The company culture emphasizes technical excellence, rapid iteration, and collaborative problem-solving. Figure has assembled a team from diverse backgrounds including leading robotics companies, research institutions, consumer electronics firms, and aerospace organizations.
Working at Figure offers the opportunity to contribute to groundbreaking technology that has the potential to transform multiple industries. The company provides competitive compensation, including equity options, and the chance to work with state-of-the-art robotics systems.
Industry Applications
Figure's humanoid robots are designed to work in environments built for humans, making them suitable for a wide range of industries and applications where traditional automation solutions face limitations.
Manufacturing
Deployment in automotive and electronics manufacturing for tasks like material handling, assembly, and quality inspection. Figure's robots can navigate existing factory floors and use standard tools designed for human workers.
Logistics & Warehousing
Applications in order picking, package handling, and inventory management, where the ability to navigate variable environments and handle diverse objects provides advantages over specialized automation.
Retail
Assistance with shelf stocking, inventory management, and customer service in retail environments, where the ability to work alongside humans and navigate store layouts is essential.
Construction
Future applications in construction tasks such as material handling, tool operation, and assistance with installation procedures, particularly in environments that are challenging to fully automate.
Commercial Deployment Strategy
Figure is taking a phased approach to commercial deployment:
- Phase 1 (2024-2025): Deployment in controlled manufacturing environments with structured tasks, beginning with the BMW partnership
- Phase 2 (2025-2026): Expansion to logistics and warehousing applications with increased autonomy and task variety
- Phase 3 (2026+): Broader deployment across retail, construction, and other sectors as capabilities advance
This strategic approach allows Figure to refine its technology in more structured environments before moving to increasingly complex applications, ensuring reliability and safety while driving continuous improvement based on real-world feedback.
Latest News
April 2024
Figure demonstrates advanced conversation capabilities with OpenAI integration
Released a video showing Figure 01 engaging in natural conversations with humans while performing physical tasks, highlighting the successful integration of OpenAI's language models.
March 2024
BMW Group and Figure announce commercial deployment partnership
Figure signed a commercial agreement with BMW to deploy humanoid robots in automotive manufacturing facilities, marking one of the first major industrial applications of general-purpose humanoid robots.
February 2024
Figure raises over $500 million in Series B funding round
Secured major funding led by Microsoft and OpenAI, with participation from NVIDIA, Jeff Bezos, and other investors, valuing the company at approximately $2.6 billion.
February 2024
Strategic partnership announced with OpenAI
Figure and OpenAI announced a collaboration to integrate advanced language models with Figure's robotics platform to enhance robot intelligence and human-robot interaction capabilities.
Strategic Partnerships
Figure has established strategic partnerships with leading technology and industrial companies to accelerate the development and deployment of its humanoid robots:
OpenAI
Strategic partnership to integrate OpenAI's advanced language models with Figure's robotics platform, enabling more natural human-robot interaction and improved task learning capabilities.
BMW Group
Commercial agreement to deploy Figure robots in automotive manufacturing facilities, focusing on material handling, logistics, and select assembly tasks.
Microsoft
Strategic investment and technical collaboration on cloud computing infrastructure, simulation environments, and AI development tools for robotics applications.
NVIDIA
Partnership on AI computing hardware and software tools to accelerate the development of Figure's perception, control, and learning systems.
These partnerships are central to Figure's strategy of combining cutting-edge AI with advanced robotics hardware and deploying solutions in real-world commercial environments. By collaborating with industry leaders, Figure can leverage complementary expertise and accelerate the path to commercial deployment.
Future Roadmap
Figure has outlined an ambitious development roadmap that focuses on both technological advancement and commercial deployment of its humanoid robotics platform:
Short Term (2024-2025)
- Initial deployment of Figure robots in BMW manufacturing facilities
- Enhancement of manipulation capabilities for more complex assembly tasks
- Expansion of language understanding and contextual reasoning abilities
- Development of improved learning systems for faster task acquisition
- Refinement of safety systems for human-robot collaboration
Medium Term (2025-2027)
- Scaled deployment across additional manufacturing partners
- Expansion into warehouse and logistics applications
- Introduction of next-generation Figure robot with enhanced capabilities
- Development of multi-robot coordination systems
- Creation of specialized end-effectors for industry-specific applications
- Establishment of robot-as-a-service business models
Long Term (2027+)
- Broader application across retail, construction, and service industries
- Development of more advanced autonomy with minimal supervision
- Creation of specialized variants for different application domains
- Exploration of potential consumer applications
- Global deployment and support infrastructure
This staged approach allows Figure to build on proven successes while continuously advancing the capabilities of its robots. The company emphasizes commercial viability at each stage, ensuring that technological development is aligned with real-world applications and customer needs.
Competitive Landscape
Figure operates in the rapidly evolving humanoid robotics space, which has seen increasing interest and investment in recent years. The company differentiates itself through its focus on commercial applications, rapid development timeline, and integration of advanced AI capabilities.
Key Competitors & Differentiators
- Boston Dynamics - Known for Atlas and other advanced robots; Figure focuses more on commercial viability and production scalability compared to Boston Dynamics' research-oriented approach
- Tesla (Optimus) - Leverages Tesla's manufacturing expertise; Figure differentiates through partnerships with established industrial players and specialized focus on humanoid robotics
- Apptronik - Fellow startup developing humanoid robots; Figure has secured larger funding and established more prominent commercial partnerships
- Sanctuary AI - Focuses on cognitive architecture; Figure emphasizes physical capabilities and practical deployment
- Agility Robotics - Creates bipedal robots like Digit; Figure's fully humanoid form factor provides greater flexibility across applications
Figure's competitive advantages include:
- Rapid development timeline from founding to working prototype
- Strategic partnerships with major technology and industrial companies
- Strong integration of advanced language models with robotics
- Focus on commercial deployment and scalable manufacturing
- Substantial funding allowing for accelerated development
- Team with diverse expertise across robotics, AI, and manufacturing
The humanoid robotics market is expected to see significant growth in the coming decade as labor shortages, rising wages, and technological advancements drive adoption across industries. Figure is well-positioned to be a leader in this emerging market due to its technology, partnerships, and commercial focus.
Updated: April 2024