A robot in every home is a common cliché in science fiction, but it could soon become a reality thanks to the rapid development of humanoid robots by companies like Figure and Tesla. The latest is Figure 02, a robot with artificial intelligence capable of performing everyday tasks.
Built by OpenAI-backed startup Figure, the new version of the humanoid robot has been rebuilt from the ground up, including incorporating the latest AI and computer vision technologies that allow it to act independently and learn by observing humans.
The new model features native GPT-4o Voice technology, which means you can talk to the robot like a human and even interrupt it when it responds.
Figure claims that the Figure 02 is the “next step” in its goal of having robots capable of performing dangerous tasks that humans can't or won't do and, overall, “improving the quality of life for humans” in the process.
What's new in Figure 02?
The latest version of this humanoid robot comes with six onboard RGB cameras linked to a custom AI vision system that can help it identify objects and situations.
Its hands are a new 4th generation model with 16 degrees of freedom and force levels equivalent to human hands, while still being soft enough to perform delicate tasks.
One of the biggest updates is an onboard vision-language model (VLM) that “enables rapid common-sense visual reasoning from the robot's cameras.”
This allows it to make decisions based on even unexpected events and actions that cannot be pre-programmed.
Figure says, “What’s exciting is that Figure 02 paves the way for humanoid robots to enter the workplace and the home.” While this model may not be suitable for the factory floor with a human, it’s a big step in that direction and a harbinger of what’s to come.
It is also capable of holding a natural conversation with humans and does so through speakers and microphones with custom AI models powering every element and interaction, including a speech-to-speech model similar to GPT-4o.
What is Figure?
Figure's goal as a company is to create a “commercially viable general-purpose humanoid robot” and bring it to market. The key is its versatile use. There are already many commercially available robots, but they can only be used for specific tasks.
Earlier this year, OpenAI took a stake in Figure and provided access to its models to improve reasoning capabilities. This allowed the robots to handle tasks without human intervention while improving their natural conversations. These robots can also learn tasks by watching or talking.
Figure 01, the previous model, has been learning to operate in BMW's South Carolina manufacturing plant for some time and has now been joined by F.02 where it has successfully “inserted sheet metal” into specific fixtures and undertaken use case training.
Figure says its goal is not only to improve productivity but also to use robots to “improve the quality of life for humans” and Figure 02 “brings us closer to realizing that vision.”