Stealth Startup Figure Joins Race to Build Practical Humanoid Robots
Figure, a new Bay Area startup founded by Brett Adcock, is developing a multipurpose bipedal robot designed to handle everyday tasks. The company plans to pilot its human-like machine by 2024.
Stealth startup Figure is developing a multipurpose bipedal robot that it plans to pilot in 2024. A source close to the Bay Area company confirms that founder Brett Adcock is leading the charge to build a machine capable of handling daily tasks ranging from manual labor to eldercare. The startup's efforts closely align with the goals of Tesla's forthcoming Optimus bot.
Building a humanoid robot is a notoriously difficult challenge that many robotics companies historically avoid in favor of purpose-built machines. However, a growing number of firms are now pursuing this goal because human-shaped robots navigate our world more naturally. Since humans construct buildings and cities for people, a robot that looks and moves like a person is theoretically the best fit for these environments.
Adcock brings significant entrepreneurial experience to Figure, having previously founded the hiring marketplace Vettery and the eVTOL company Archer. While many companies struggle to crack the humanoid form factor due to high costs and engineering hurdles, Figure hopes to succeed where others have fallen short by focusing on this universal robotic design.