Startup Figure AI is creating general-purpose humanoid robots.
Figure AI
Figure AI, a startup working to construct humanoid robots that may carry out harmful and undesirable jobs, simply obtained an enormous vote of confidence from a number of the largest names in synthetic intelligence.
The firm stated Thursday that it raised $675 million at a $2.6 billion valuation from buyers together with Jeff Bezos, Nvidia, Microsoft and Amazon‘s $1 billion Industrial Innovation Fund.
Founded in 2022, Figure AI has developed a general-purpose robotic, known as Figure 01, that appears and strikes like a human. The firm sees its robots being put to make use of in manufacturing, delivery and logistics, warehousing, and retail, “where labor shortages are the most severe,” although its machines aren’t supposed for army or protection functions.
Earlier this week, the corporate launched a video displaying Figure 01 in motion. The robotic, hooked up to a tether, walks on two legs, and makes use of its five-fingered fingers to select up a plastic crate, then walks a number of extra steps earlier than putting the field on a conveyor belt.
Figure’s final intention is for Figure 01 to have the ability to carry out “everyday tasks autonomously.” The firm says getting there would require it to develop extra sturdy AI techniques.
Meanwhile, Figure is a part of a crowded subject of firms vying to make humanoid robots a actuality. Amazon-backed Agility Robotics plans to open a manufacturing unit that may produce as much as 10,000 of its bipedal Digit robots per yr. Tesla can be attempting to construct a humanoid robotic, known as Optimus, whereas robotics firm Boston Dynamics has developed a number of fashions. Norwegian humanoid robotic startup 1X Technologies just lately raised $100 million with backing from OpenAI.
The market is nascent. Analysts at Goldman Sachs anticipate the humanoid robotic market to succeed in $38 billion by 2035, and undertaking that greater than 250,000 models may very well be shipped in 2030.
“Right now we’re at an early curve where there’s loads of interest in humanoids, and I think that will continue for a while,” stated Tom Andersson, co-founder and principal analyst of STIQ Ltd., which publishes analysis on robotics and retail applied sciences. Andersson stated there’ll should be “several step changes” earlier than it may be rolled out broadly.
As a part of the deal introduced Thursday, Figure stated it is partnering with ChatGPT maker OpenAI to “develop next generation AI models for humanoid robots.” It can even use Microsoft’s Azure cloud companies for AI infrastructure, coaching and storage, Figure stated.
Humanoid robots require costly parts similar to actuators, motors and sensors to operate. Goldman researchers say these prices are anticipated to return down within the coming years, noting they’ve already dropped to between $30,000 and $150,000 per unit, from a variety of $50,000 to $250,000 per unit final yr.
Intel‘s enterprise fund was additionally a part of the Figure funding spherical together with Cathie Wood’s Ark Invest, Align Ventures and current investor Parkway Venture Capital.
WATCH: Tesla CEO Musk stated it is extra vital to develop humanoid robotic than new automobiles
Source: www.cnbc.com”