Figure AI, a company specializing in humanoid robot development, is reportedly in talks with Microsoft Corp. and OpenAI for a funding round worth $500 million. Bloomberg states that Microsoft will invest around $95 million, while OpenAI will contribute $5 million. If the funding round is successful, Figure AI’s pre-money valuation could reach $1.9 billion.
The deal is not yet finalized, and there is always a possibility of the talks falling through. Neither Figure AI nor the potential investors have commented on the situation.
Figure AI’s objective, according to their website, is to merge new AI technologies with robotics to create general-purpose humanoids that have a positive impact on humanity. The company believes that by developing humanoid robots, they can eliminate unsafe and undesirable jobs, especially in industries like manufacturing, shipping and logistics, warehousing, and retail, which face severe labor shortages.
The AI-powered humanoid robot, called Figure 01, resembles a human with two legs, two arms, hands, and a screen for a face. Brett Adcock, the founder and CEO of Figure AI, claims that the robot can even make coffee like a human.
Adcock’s long-term focus is on building Figure AI with a 30-year view to positively impact the future of humanity. Recently, the company signed an agreement with BMW to have their robot work in the car manufacturer’s facilities in the United States.
While warehouse robots and affordable robots like Mobile ALOHA are already being used in the workforce, AI and robotics are finding applications in healthcare establishments as well. These include tasks such as genetic testing, robotic surgery, cancer research, data collection, and more.
The potential collaboration between Figure AI, Microsoft, and OpenAI demonstrates the growing interest and investment in AI and robotics. It aligns with the company’s aim to develop advanced humanoids to tackle labor shortages in various industries. However, until the funding round is finalized, the outcome remains uncertain.
