Figure AI is a robotics company developing autonomous humanoid robots designed to operate in environments originally built for humans. Their mission is to integrate general-purpose robots into the labor force to address critical labor shortages and improve productivity and safety across industries. Founded in 2022 and headquartered in Sunnyvale, California, Figure AI is one of the most prominent companies in the robotics space, garnering attention for its sophisticated humanoid robot called Figure 01.
Unlike industrial robots which are confined to specific, pre-programmed tasks, Figure’s humanoid robots are intended to perform a variety of general-purpose functions across warehouses, manufacturing plants, logistics centers, and eventually customer-facing environments. With powerful AI systems, advanced mechatronics, and human-like mobility, Figure robots are engineered to interact naturally with the physical world.
Features
The core product of Figure AI is its humanoid robot, Figure 01. This robot incorporates advanced features that enable autonomous decision-making, mobility, and task execution.
It has a human-like form factor, standing at 5’6” and weighing approximately 132 pounds, allowing it to navigate spaces designed for people. The robot is built to carry payloads of up to 20 kilograms, making it practical for industrial and logistics applications.
Mobility is a central feature. Figure 01 walks bipedally, handles uneven terrain, and performs complex maneuvers, enabling it to operate in dynamic environments such as warehouses or loading docks.
The robot is powered by an AI system designed for general-purpose learning and task execution. It can perceive its environment using computer vision, reason through scenarios, and adapt its behavior accordingly. This intelligence is supported by real-time sensory feedback and onboard processing.
It includes dexterous, human-like hands with multiple degrees of freedom, capable of gripping, manipulating, and interacting with tools or objects in diverse workplace settings.
Safety mechanisms are built in, including responsive force control, collision detection, and emergency stop systems. These ensure safe interactions with people and surroundings.
How It Works
Figure AI’s robots combine physical engineering with advanced AI to operate autonomously in real-world environments. The process starts with the robot perceiving its environment using high-resolution cameras, sensors, and LiDAR.
Its perception system builds a real-time map of its surroundings, identifying objects, obstacles, and people. The robot’s onboard AI then determines how to navigate the space and what actions to take to accomplish tasks.
For example, in a warehouse setting, the robot might recognize a shelf of items, identify a specific product, walk toward it, grasp it with its hands, and move it to another location — all autonomously.
Task learning is driven by a combination of imitation learning, reinforcement learning, and large-scale data training. The robot can be trained on common workflows, such as moving boxes or assembling components, and later generalize these learnings to new scenarios.
Its limbs, joints, and actuators are precisely controlled through custom mechatronic systems, enabling fluid and stable motion. Each component is optimized for real-world performance, including battery life, balance, and maneuverability.
The AI models guiding the robot are regularly updated through cloud connectivity, allowing Figure to improve performance over time and scale intelligence across units.
Use Cases
Figure AI’s humanoid robots are being developed to meet the needs of sectors facing labor shortages and repetitive manual tasks.
In logistics and warehousing, the robots can move goods, assist in packaging, and handle routine inventory tasks, reducing dependence on human labor for physically demanding roles.
In manufacturing, they can support assembly line processes by handling tools, assembling parts, and working alongside human workers to increase throughput and efficiency.
In retail environments, future versions may be used to stock shelves, greet customers, or assist with customer service tasks, helping businesses maintain service levels amid staffing shortages.
In agriculture and food processing, robots may assist with picking, sorting, or packaging, especially during peak seasonal periods when labor is scarce.
Eventually, as intelligence and dexterity improve, Figure AI envisions its robots operating in households, elder care, and even space missions, taking on roles traditionally requiring human presence.
Pricing
As of now, Figure AI has not released any public pricing for its humanoid robot Figure 01. The robot is still in the development and early deployment phase. Figure is working closely with selected enterprise partners, including companies in logistics and manufacturing, to pilot and test the robots in controlled real-world scenarios.
Because Figure 01 is not yet a consumer-available product, commercial pricing structures, leasing models, or production costs have not been disclosed publicly. Interested businesses or partners must contact Figure AI directly for information about pilot programs or future availability.
Given the complexity and cost of developing humanoid robots, it is expected that pricing will initially target large enterprises before scaling down to broader markets as production costs decrease. https://www.figure.ai/
Strengths
One of Figure AI’s primary strengths is its vision for general-purpose robotics. While many companies focus on narrow-task robots, Figure is building humanoid machines that can adapt to multiple roles — a significant leap in robotic utility.
Its human-like form allows seamless integration into existing environments without the need for infrastructure changes. This means companies can deploy robots in current workflows without major redesigns.
The company has attracted top talent from Tesla, Boston Dynamics, Apple, and Google, giving it a technical advantage in both robotics and AI.
Its partnerships and investment backing — including strategic support from OpenAI and funding from major VCs — provide Figure with the capital and AI collaborations to accelerate progress.
The robot’s ability to learn new tasks and operate autonomously with safety considerations in place positions it as a high-potential solution for labor-intensive sectors.
Drawbacks
Despite its potential, Figure AI is still in the early stages of development, and there are limitations.
The product is not commercially available yet, meaning interested businesses cannot yet purchase or deploy the robots at scale.
The cost and maintenance of such advanced robots may be prohibitive for small businesses, at least in the short term.
General-purpose autonomy remains an ongoing challenge. While robots like Figure 01 are capable of impressive demos, consistent performance in unstructured, chaotic environments still requires years of refinement.
There is also regulatory and public concern about safety, job displacement, and ethical AI use, which Figure will need to navigate carefully as it scales.
Comparison with Other Tools
Figure AI is often compared with companies like Boston Dynamics, Tesla Optimus, and Agility Robotics.
Boston Dynamics has led the robotics space for over a decade with robots like Atlas and Spot. While their machines are highly mobile and capable, they are typically designed for specific tasks, whereas Figure is aiming for broader utility with general-purpose intelligence.
Tesla Optimus is another humanoid robot project with similar goals. However, Figure appears to be moving faster in terms of showing real-world applications and securing partnerships. That said, Tesla’s vertically integrated ecosystem and access to manufacturing could provide it a long-term edge.
Agility Robotics, creators of Digit, focuses on warehouse logistics and last-mile delivery. While their robots are less human-like in form, they are further along in commercial deployment. Figure AI aims to surpass such models by integrating more advanced AI and dexterity.
Overall, Figure AI distinguishes itself by combining humanoid mobility with scalable, general-purpose AI — a combination that could transform how labor is performed across industries.
Customer Reviews and Testimonials
Since Figure AI is still in its pre-commercial phase, formal customer reviews are limited. However, early reactions from industry experts and media outlets have been largely positive.
Demo videos and live events showcasing Figure 01 have received praise for the robot’s stability, mobility, and dexterity. Analysts have highlighted the company’s rapid progress and clear vision for deploying robots in the labor force.
Industry leaders, including those from OpenAI and major logistics firms, have expressed support for Figure’s mission, particularly in light of global labor shortages and demographic shifts.
As Figure 01 enters pilot programs, more feedback from enterprise users is expected in the coming months.
Conclusion
Figure AI represents a bold step toward the integration of humanoid robots into the modern workforce. By building general-purpose machines that can work alongside humans in real-world settings, Figure is attempting to redefine labor and productivity in the 21st century.
Although still in the development phase, the company’s progress, talent pool, and vision make it a standout player in the field of robotics. As autonomous capabilities improve and production scales, Figure AI has the potential to become a transformative force in logistics, manufacturing, and beyond.
Businesses and technologists interested in the future of automation would be wise to keep a close eye on Figure AI as it moves from prototype to commercial deployment.
