Figure.ai, a pioneering AI robotics startup specializing in the development of autonomous humanoid robots, has recently secured a staggering $675 million in a Series B funding round, catapulting its valuation to an impressive $2.6 billion. The funding round attracted significant interest from tech titans and investment heavyweights, with notable participants including Microsoft, OpenAI Startup Fund, NVIDIA, Jeff Bezos via Bezos Expeditions, Parkway Venture Capital, Intel Capital, Align Ventures, and ARK Invest.
This substantial injection of capital is pivotal for Figure.ai as it gears up to expedite the commercial deployment of its humanoid robots. In a strategic move aimed at propelling the evolution of next-generation AI models for humanoid robotics, Figure.ai has forged a collaborative partnership with Sam Altman’s OpenAI, renowned for its groundbreaking work with ChatGPT. This synergistic alliance seeks to fuse OpenAI’s cutting-edge research prowess with Figure’s comprehensive expertise in robotics hardware and software, thereby augmenting the robots’ capacity to comprehend and reason from natural language.
Expressing enthusiasm for the collaboration, Peter Welinder, VP of Product and Partnerships at OpenAI, remarked, “We’re immensely impressed by Figure’s achievements thus far and eagerly anticipate the synergies that will emerge from our collaboration to redefine the role of robots in daily life.” The brain trust behind Figure.ai comprises elite AI robotics specialists hailing from prestigious institutions such as Boston Dynamics, Tesla, Google DeepMind, and Archer Aviation. Under the astute leadership of CEO Brett Adcock, a seasoned entrepreneur with a proven track record of startup success, Figure.ai has made remarkable strides in AI research, robotics development, rigorous testing, and commercialization.
Notably, the company has already inked its inaugural commercial pact with BMW Manufacturing to seamlessly integrate humanoid robots into automotive production. Adcock articulates the company’s vision succinctly: “At Figure.ai, we are steadfast in our mission to usher humanoid robots into mainstream commercial operations at the earliest possible juncture… AI and robotics represent the vanguard of the future.” To fortify its ambitious objectives, Figure.ai will leverage the formidable capabilities of Microsoft Azure for AI infrastructure, training, and data storage.
Jon Tinter, Corporate Vice President of Business Development at Microsoft, expressed eagerness about the collaboration, stating, “We are thrilled to collaborate with Figure.ai and contribute to the acceleration of AI breakthroughs. Through our partnership, Figure.ai will gain access to Microsoft’s cutting-edge AI infrastructure and services to facilitate the seamless deployment of humanoid robots for real-world applications.”
Backed by a seasoned team boasting pedigrees from Boston Dynamics, Tesla, Google DeepMind, and Archer Aviation, armed with state-of-the-art technology, and fortified by robust financial and technological support, Figure.ai is poised to revolutionize the labor landscape, addressing shortages and augmenting efficiency across diverse sectors.
As the company ramps up its AI training and manufacturing capabilities, the global community watches with bated breath, anticipating the transformative impact Figure.ai’s humanoid robots will exert on society and the global economy. Qatalyst Partners played a pivotal role in providing strategic and financial counsel to Figure.ai throughout this landmark transaction.