Will it be stronger than Tesla, Boston Dynamics and Xiaomi combined? This humanoid robot promises to be the most efficient and agile to work in a complex industrial environment. The objective of the start-up Figure is to provide support for dangerous tasks in warehousing and logistics activities, or to solve labor shortage problems. The designers also aim to make it accessible for domestic use in order to allow home assistance and care for the elderly.
Humanoid robot projects are multiplying. The idea is to create flexible and intelligent machines, capable of replacing humans in repetitive and thankless tasks. Based in California, the startup Figure specializes in the design of intelligent humanoid robots. His first project, baptized Figure 01, in version alpha, is currently in the testing phase. It measures 1.70 meters for 60 kilos, It supports a payload of up to 20 kilos, displays a range of 5 hours and can move at 1.2 meters / second, or just over 4 km / h . Note that it also has fingers and not grippers, for even better manipulation of objects.
A general purpose humanoid robot
The idea here is to create a humanoid robot that can work and help humans produce more, address labor shortages, and even reduce the number of workers in dangerous jobs. In fine, Figure 01 will combine the dexterity of the human form with Artificial Intelligence, in order to be able to adapt to different tasks, for always optimal efficiency. Eventually, the Figure 01 has the ambition to become the first commercially viable autonomous humanoid robot in the world, that is to say also “accessible” financially.
AI Robotics company, Figure, has built a general-purpose autonomous humanoid robot. © Picture
Other companies, such as Tesla and Boston Dynamics, are also working on humanoid robot projects. Known for its infamous Spot robot dog, Boston Dynamics recently unveiled Atlas, a humanoid model capable of lifting, manipulating, and moving heavy loads, much like a human worker. For its part, Xiaomi is working on the CyberOne, a robot able to perceive space in 3D but also to recognize individuals as well as their gestures, their expressions and their emotions. Combined with an artificial intelligence, it could directly interact with them. Finally, even Tesla is working on its own humanoid robot project, codenamed Optimus.
