AI Paves the Way for Autonomous Humanoids on the Assembly Line

Above: Figure's 01 Robot

Artificial intelligence (AI) has been advancing rapidly in the past few years, thanks to the efforts of companies like OpenAI, which has developed models like GPT-4 and tools like ChatGPT that can generate natural language and interact with humans. But what if these models could also control robots that can perform physical tasks in the real world?

That is the vision of Figure, a robotics startup that is building general purpose humanoid robots that can work in various industries, such as manufacturing, shipping, logistics, warehousing, and retail. Figure has recently received $675 million in funding from investors including Microsoft, OpenAI, Nvidia, Intel, and Jeff Bezos. It is now worth $2.6 billion and has a partnership with OpenAI to use its multimodal models to enhance the robotic perception, reasoning, and interaction of its robots.

Multimodal models are AI systems that can understand and process different types of input and output, such as text, images, video, speech, and code. This allows them to handle complex and diverse tasks that require multiple modalities. For example, a multimodal model could take a voice command from a human, analyze an image of a scene, generate a plan of action, and execute it using a robot arm.

This is vital for creating robots that can adapt to different situations and environments without requiring human intervention or pre-programmed instructions. Figure aims to create robots that can learn from their own experience and from other robots, using reinforcement learning and self-play techniques. The goal is to have Figure 01, their first android, to be able to perform a range of everyday tasks autonomously and that is where the AI mind comes into play.

One of the applications that Figure is focusing on is manufacturing, where labor shortages are severe and automation is needed. In fact, the company recently announced its commercial agreement with BMW Manufacturing to use its robots in automotive manufacturing environments. The robots will automate difficult, unsafe, or tedious tasks throughout the production process, allowing employees to focus on skills and processes that cannot be automated.

The agreement will follow a milestone-based approach, starting with identifying initial use cases for the Figure robots in BMW’s manufacturing facility in Spartanburg, South Carolina. The two companies will also explore advanced technology topics such as artificial intelligence, robot control, manufacturing virtualization, and robot integration.

Figure’s founder and CEO, Brett Adcock, said that the potential of general purpose robotics is untapped and that Figure’s robots will enable companies to increase productivity, reduce costs, and create a safer and more consistent environment. Dr. Robert Engelhorn, president and CEO of BMW Manufacturing, said that the automotive industry and production systems are evolving rapidly and that the use of general purpose robot solutions will help drive the future of the industry.

However, BMW is not the first company to experiment with humanoid robots on the assembly line. Here are a few other automakers joining the race:

• Honda: Honda has been developing its own humanoid robot, ASIMO, since 1986. ASIMO can walk, run, climb stairs, and interact with humans. Honda has used ASIMO to showcase its robotics technology and to assist in various events and exhibitions.

• Hyundai: Hyundai has been working on its humanoid robot, Elevate, since 2019. Elevate is designed to be a walking car that can traverse difficult terrains and rescue people in disasters. Hyundai has also partnered with Boston Dynamics to acquire its humanoid robot, Atlas, which can perform acrobatic feats and carry heavy loads .

• Tesla: Tesla Optimus Gen 2 is a humanoid robot unveiled by Tesla at their AI Day in December 2023. It is a successor to the Optimus robot that was introduced in 2022. Compared to its predecessor, Optimus Gen 2 is lighter, faster, and more capable. It can walk 30% faster, has improved balance, and features faster and more precise hand movements. It is also equipped with new tactile sensors that allow it to handle fragile objects like an egg.

Summing Up

The convergence of artificial intelligence and robotics marks a transformative era in industry and technology. Figure's ambitious pursuit of creating general-purpose humanoid robots, backed by substantial funding and partnerships with tech giants like OpenAI, Microsoft, and Intel, underscores the potential for AI-driven automation to revolutionize various sectors, from manufacturing to logistics. As multimodal models enable robots to perceive, reason, and interact with their environment, the prospect of autonomous machines capable of learning and adapting opens new frontiers in efficiency, safety, and productivity.

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