Humans have always harboured dreams of coexisting with robots, envisioning their presence in various shapes and forms. From futuristic sci-fi films to children’s toys at home, robots are omnipresent, serving diverse functions or simply acting as delightful companions. California-based company Figure aims to amalgamate artificial intelligence (AI) and robotics technologies to create autonomous humanoid robots, contributing to the global workforce. The company’s inaugural product, Figure 01, is hailed as the first commercially viable autonomous humanoid robot.

Resembling a fusion between RoboCop and the T-800 Endoskeleton from The Terminator, Figure 01 operates on AI and is self-sufficient, mimicking the human body’s shape with two legs, two arms featuring hands, and a screen for a face. This general-purpose humanoid robot is equipped to handle a myriad of tasks, emulating human capabilities in complex environments and diverse circumstances. Moreover, these robots boast relative affordability and scalability for mass production.

While single-purpose robotics, such as robotic arms in manufacturing plants, have been commonplace for decades, the advent of general-purpose robotics in the form of autonomous humanoids marks a novel development. The collaboration between Figure and BMW Manufacturing, with the latter integrating humanoid robots into automotive production, signals a significant step forward. The partnership also promises exploration into areas like artificial intelligence robot control, manufacturing virtualization, and enhanced robot integration.

The timeline for the deployment of Figure robots at BMW’s Spartanburg, South Carolina manufacturing facility remains uncertain. Nevertheless, for a glimpse of Figure 01 in action, adeptly preparing coffee using a capsule machine, refer to the video below—a striking parallel to our daily rituals.