Confronting Figure\’s New Humanoid Robot

Figure’s Sunnyvale Headquarters Gets a Make‑over

Now that it’s been 16 months since my last swing by Figure’s Sunnyvale HQ, I’m amazed by how much the place has transformed. First thing you notice when driving up: the office building that used to blend into the gray, unremarkable Silicon Valley landscape now sports bright signage announcing it’s “Figure HQ.” Inside, the emptiness that once stared back at me is gone—there’s a buzz of activity and a high‑tech vibe you can’t miss.

Size Matters

• Figure’s workforce has grown to 130 engineers, thanks to that hefty $1.5 billion funding round.
• Next year, the company is moving into a new, larger facility just a short car ride away, where the robots can stretch out.

Robot Showcase

Scattered across the back of the office are rows of robots, some still in half‑assembled glory. Shelves are jammed with spare arms and heads—like a robotic Lego set. A shiny Figure 01 hangs in full display, and when I asked to snap a photo, the staff jokingly said it’s “old news.” They’re still floating around but that’s no reason to put it away.

Systems Integration & Testing

Since my May 2023 visit, Figure opened a new wing dedicated to systems integration and testing. Adcock calls it “the back” even though it’s really tucked on the side. That’s where all the robot parts get put through rigorous trials.

The Showroom

Right in the heart of the main office, a separate zone lets engineers get hands‑on with the machines. They test the robots in real‑world scenarios, and right now they’re honing in on automotive assembly—straight out of Figure’s recent pilots with BMW.

Roadwork with BMW

• Figure robots had a two‑week stint at BMW’s Spartanburg plant earlier this year.
• During that period, the humanoids worked round the clock, seven days a week.
• Beyond just moving tote boxes, they’re stepping up their game. Figure plans to return in January with a mid‑to‑high single‑digit fleet.

Industry Landscape

Automotive firms are the front runners in adopting humanoid robots. After decades of deploying robots on their floors, they’re now turning to the advanced, flexible human‑like form factor. Competitors like Boston Dynamics, Apptronik, and Sanctuary AI are also piloting robots with car manufacturers—so the race is on.

Figure’s Next Chapter

With new hires, a slick new location, and concrete partnerships rolling out, Figure is poised to make a splash on the robotics scene. Stay tuned—this story is far from finished.

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Tech and VC heavyweights join the Disrupt 2025 agenda

Netflix, ElevenLabs, Wayve, Sequoia Capital — just a few of the heavy hitters joining the Disrupt 2025 agenda. They’re here to deliver the insights that fuel startup growth and sharpen your edge. Don’t miss the 20th anniversary of TechCrunch Disrupt, and a chance to learn from the top voices in tech — grab your ticket now and save up to $675 before prices rise.

What’s Brewing in the Bay Area’s Robot Revolution

There’s a buzz in San Francisco’s tech streets, and the line‑up of cool creations is getting heavier by the day. Grab your coffee, buckle up, and let’s take a tour of the latest gadgets and their daring plans to dominate your living room.

The Big Powerhouses

• Tesla’s Optimus – Silicon Valley’s latest crowning achievement. Think of a future robot overlord eating burgers while skating. The hype is real.
• Agility Robotics – Partying on the consumer goods side, they’re hanging out with Amazon. Their Digit bot just bounced the pilot test at a Spanx factory. Yep, the sock‑maker world is getting automated.

New Players on the Block

• 1X – They’re gearing up to invade the home‑front. They’ve got enough cash to buy socks for everyone (thanks OpenAI, of course).
• Figure – The decade‑old U.S./Norwegian duo. Imagine a home‑appliance empire that’s both well‑funded and not afraid to make noise. With OpenAI backing, their future looks bright.

Inside the Tech Pavilion

Walking through the exhibition, Adcock pointed out a sliver of the floor where Figure 02 was chilling in a faux home setup. It’s like a robot showing off its “wow‑you‑should‑buy‑this‑product” style, making your doorbell feel kinda jealous.

There’s something magical about seeing these robots perform everyday tasks – you’ll want to lick the screen! The atmosphere was electric, all that material buzz, AI jokes, and surprising playful brontos

So, whether it’s a Tesla super‑man or an Agility bot nailing a Sock machine, the future of smart homes is looking bigger and wilder than ever.

Meet Figure 01: The Robot That Might One Day Do Your Chores

Why Figure Feels Like a Baby Aged in a Tank

Just stepping into the HQ, you see the new model strutting around. It’s still in the “puff‑ups” stage: design bugs, market uncertainty, and one common foe – cost.

Price Tag: The Dream Budget Drop

• Goal: Under $20,000 for everyday buyers.
• Reality: Still a leap away – probably not this calendar year.
• Until then, the company is busy sharpening “Figure 02” to help out when you’re pulling a fridge or juggling dishes.

The Robot That Actually Walks (Right Now)

Last preview day, the robot hadn’t even crunched a step. This time, it marched straight toward me while I roasted a video – a step that feels like picking up a lost sock from your morning beat.

Design Swaps: From Bare Wires to Chic Tori

• No more exposed cables – it’s less “sci‑fi cable mess” and more “designer’s toy box.”
• The oversized battery backpack? Gone. Now it’s tucked neatly in the body alongside Nvidia GPUs and other power‑houses.
• Ready for the next generation’s “look” and “heartbeat.”

Testing, Gantry & Untethered Dreams

In the demo, the robot’s legs were upheld by a gantry. While the South Carolina units have the freedom to roam untethered, backing them up during trials saves a ton of hassle.

Why You’ll Still Need to Watch the Reels

Even if the footage feels raw, you never know how many takes it took to get each move slick. That real field‑testing frenzy begins on January 1st, when the robots head back to the BMW plant.