In a monumental stride towards integrating humanoid robots into everyday work environments, the innovative startup Figure has successfully secured a massive $675 million investment. This significant financial backing, led by industry giants including Jeff Bezos, Nvidia, and the creators of ChatGPT and OpenAI, not only underscores the burgeoning interest in bipedal robotic technology but also marks a pivotal moment in the evolution of the labour force.
The figure, a Silicon Valley-based venture spearheaded by aviation disruptor Brett Adcock, has now achieved a groundbreaking valuation of $2.6 billion, thanks to contributions from a distinguished roster of investors. These backers include the technological powerhouse Microsoft, the OpenAI Startup Fund, pioneering AI chipmaker Nvidia, the Amazon Industrial Innovation Fund, and Jeff Bezos' personal investment vehicle, Bezos Expeditions. Additional support comes from Parkway Venture Capital, Intel Capital, Align Ventures, and ARK Invest, all betting on the future of humanoid robotics in the workplace.
This Series B funding round is poised to drastically expedite Figure's commercial deployment, bringing humanoid robots closer to practical application across various industries. The collaboration between Figure and OpenAI is particularly noteworthy, aiming to merge OpenAI's advanced AI research with Figure's expertise in robotics hardware and software. This partnership is set to enhance humanoid robots' ability to understand and process language, propelling Figure's commercial endeavours forward at an unprecedented pace.
The race to develop and deploy humanoid robots is heating up, with industry leaders like Tesla and Boston Dynamics at the forefront. Figure's robots are slated to join BMW's assembly lines, while Amazon experiments with Agility Robotics' Digit for warehouse tasks. In the realm of space exploration, NASA's collaboration with Apptronik on the Apollo robot showcases the potential for humanoid robots beyond Earth. Meanwhile, Sanctuary AI's Phoenix, celebrated as one of TIME's 2023 Best Inventions, demonstrates versatility in retail environments.
The investment in Figure signifies a broader industry shift towards harnessing artificial intelligence for tangible, real-world applications. As humanoid robots begin to undertake roles traditionally filled by humans, concerns about job displacement have surfaced. However, the narrative surrounding this technological advancement emphasizes the potential for "upskilling," where individuals displaced by robots are retrained for more sophisticated, rewarding roles within their fields.
As we stand on the brink of seeing humanoid robots integrate into actual work settings, the next 24 months are expected to be transformative. With companies like Figure leading the charge, the vision of robots and humans working side by side is transitioning from science fiction to reality, promising to reshape the workforce in profound ways.