AI Startup Raises $70 Million To Build Humanoid Robots. Will They Succeed?

"You can shine no matter what you are made of." Do you know who said that? Yes, it was ­Bigweld from the 2005 movie, Robots. If you haven't watched this critically acclaimed masterpiece, then let us tell you it's an animated movie that takes us on an astonishing ride with a humanoid robot, who pushes the boundaries of human invention and challenges­ social norms. #NowOntoTheNews

Move over, Bigweld! Real-life humanoid robots are about to steal the show! Yes, you read it right; according to a recent report, Figure, an AI startup, is all set to shine as it has raised USD 70 million to build humanoid robots. The startup plans to accelerate the development and manufacturing of its first autonomous humanoid, which is slated for launch in the coming months. Although the company's exact valuation remains undisclosed, sources close to the project estimate it to be over $400 million. #SayWhat


Leading the charge is Brett Adcock, Founder and Chief Executive at Figure, who has invested a staggering $20 million of his own money into the venture. Other notable investors include Aliya Capital and Bold Ventures. Adcock said, "We believe general-purpose humanoid robots have far more potential than single-purpose robots." He further added, "The deployment into the workforce can help address labor shortages and over time lead the way in eliminating the need for unsafe and undesirable jobs."


However, the history of building humanoid robots is not all rainbows and sunshine.

A 2022 report sheds light on the long-standing efforts of industry giants like Honda and Hyundai's Boston Dynamics in developing humanoid robots. The report emphasizes one of the major challenges faced by humanoid robots: unpredictable situations.

The same report sheds light on the "Autonomy" event in 2019, in which Musk promised 1 million self-driving cars by 2020 but Tesla has not yet produced any self-driving taxis. Experts say that even if Musk's robots show simple abilities, it will be difficult for him to show the public that robots are as capable as humans. Besides, Musk raised an issue about humanoid robots not having enough intelligence to operate in the real world without clear instructions.

Given the past hurdles in creating humanoid robots, all eyes are on this ambitious AI startup to see if they can make their aspiring project a reality.


Do you think this AI startup will be able to overcome the challenges that giants like Honda and Hyundai have faced? We're curious to hear your thoughts!