🦾 Figure 02: A Major New Advancement in Humanoid Robotics.

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🦾 Figure 02, the latest creation from the startup Figure AI, represents a new milestone in the evolution of humanoid robots.

🚗 Your next car, assembled by a robot? Advances in humanoid robotics could soon revolutionize production lines.

📈 A booming market: The potential of the humanoid robot market is immense, with estimates predicting it could reach $38 billion by 2035.

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HUMANOIDS ROBOTS

Figure 02: The humanoid robot that promises to redefine human-machine interaction

After mastering coffee preparation with its version 01 and integrating into BMW's assembly lines, here is Figure 02, the latest iteration of the humanoid robot capable of executing complex tasks and adapting to various environments. A humanoid robot is a robot that resembles the human body in shape. According to Brett Adcock, founder of the startup Figure AI, this model is the most advanced on the planet.

Backed by technology giants like OpenAI, Nvidia, Microsoft, Amazon, and Intel Capital, the company showcases its new model in this promotional video.

Through a complete redesign of its hardware and software, Figure AI significantly accelerates the development of humanoid robots. Key features include integrated microphones and speakers enabling face-to-face conversations with humans, powered by custom AI models developed in collaboration with OpenAI. Large language models like OpenAI's ChatGPT have demonstrated humanoid robots' ability to learn from vast amounts of data they receive and select relevant information for use in their reasoning. Additionally, the integration of a visual language model allows the humanoid to understand what is captured by cameras and make autonomous decisions accordingly. Cameras also enable the robot to understand its environment and perform tasks in the real world autonomously.

Simultaneously, NVIDIA offers an innovative solution for training humanoid robots. Their GR00T project, using Apple Vision Pro headsets, allows more intuitive and effective training by mimicking human movements.

Figure AI is pushing the boundaries of robotics by developing humanoid machines capable of performing complex tasks with unmatched precision, paving the way for a new era of automation.

Humanoid Robots, New Workforce?

These new humanoid robots are being tested in manufacturing, warehouses, and automotive plants. Over fifteen established companies are developing bipedal or mobile robots with functional arms. For instance, Amazon is currently testing Agility Robotics' Digit robots in its warehouses, while Figure AI is deploying its humanoids at BMW. Elon Musk presents Tesla's Optimus as capable of assisting in car assembly or handling hazardous materials. Boston Dynamics' Atlas2 already demonstrates some applications for use in factories, such as lifting and storing heavy components.

These companies, among others, promise versatile robots capable of performing various tasks unlike specific robots, aiming to work alongside humans to improve productivity and safety.

Humanoid Robots in the Automotive Industry

Although online videos are not single takes but compilations of several dozen takes, the emergence of large language models (LLMs) and multimodal AIs capable of processing real-time visual and audio data is propelling these robots, once confined to science fiction, to new heights.

Humanoid Robots, Tech's New Stars?

According to Goldman Sachs, the humanoid market could reach $38 billion by 2035 as technology continues to improve and costs decrease. The institute predicts strong demand for humanoid robots in structured environments like manufacturing, especially for assembling electric vehicles and sorting components.

According to the report, humanoids are particularly attractive for dangerous, dirty, and dull tasks such as mining, disaster rescue, nuclear reactor maintenance, and chemical manufacturing. Customers might be willing to pay more for robots capable of performing hazardous jobs, and these robots could also fill labor shortages in some sectors.

Moreover, in October 2023, the Chinese government announced a mass production goal for humanoids by 2025, aiming to significantly increase industrial productivity. It also aims to enhance the technological innovation capacity of humanoid robots, establish a safe and reliable industrial supply chain, and build a competitive industrial ecosystem internationally by 2027.

Why It Matters to You 🦎?

Humanoid robots are poised to revolutionize our daily lives. Imagine machines capable of performing a multitude of tasks, assisting us at home and at work, with intelligence close to ours. This is no longer science fiction: this new generation of robots, comparable to personal computers upon their introduction, is rapidly developing.

Companies worldwide are investing in this technology, promising humanoids capable of interacting naturally with humans and working for us, with us, or in our place on the most strenuous or dangerous tasks.

These companies are not only endowing robots with intelligence but also seeking to give them sensitivity. Imagine machines capable of gently touching you, conveying emotions through a simple gesture. Furthermore, researchers at the University of Tokyo have published results on a method to attach artificial skin to robots' faces to protect machinery and mimic human expressiveness.

These advancements pave the way for deeper and more human-like interactions with robots. As we prepare to live alongside these artificial companions, it is important to consider not only what is possible but also what is desirable for our collective future.

Where Are the Cache 🦎 Cookies 🍪?

The creators of these machines present humanoid robots as a solution to enhance productivity and safety by taking on the most strenuous and dangerous tasks for humans. However, as these machines gain autonomy, they could replace humans in many sectors, from manufacturing to healthcare. While this may address some labor shortages in certain sectors, it could also lead to job losses and economic upheavals.

Furthermore, humanoid robots are not without risks. Malfunctions could cause accidents, and their ability to collect highly private personal data raises serious privacy concerns. Who will have access to this intimate information? Moreover, the increasing autonomy of these machines raises ethical dilemmas: who will be responsible in case of an incident? Finally, their production and disposal will impact the environment, particularly in terms of resource consumption and waste production.

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