Humanoid robot startup Figure valued at $2.6bn in latest raise

The new round of funding values Figure, based in California, at $2.6bn. Set up in 2021, Figure includes AI and robotics experts with previous experience at Boston Dynamics, Tesla, Google DeepMind, and Archer Aviation.

Rather than the specialised robots already pervasive in high-tech industrial environments, Figure is working towards general purpose humanoid robots that can carry out a variety of tasks. To do this, it is seeking to merge advanced levels of AI with the latest in humanoid robotic technology. It's Figure 01 robot measures around 1.7m in height and weighs in at 60kg. According to the company, it can carry a 20kg payload, move at 1.2M/S and operate for up to five hours. 

In tandem with the latest investment, Figure and OpenAI – the developer behind ChatGPT - are collaborating on novel AI models for humanoid robots. It’s hoped the partnership will help accelerate Figure's commercial timeline by enhancing the capabilities of humanoid robots to process and reason from language. In January 2024, the company announced that it had signed an agreement with BMW to deploy general purpose robots in automotive manufacturing environments.