The unveiling of Figure 02 by AI robotics company Figure marks a notable step forward in the field of autonomous humanoid robots. At 5’6″ tall and weighing 70kg, this electric-powered robot can carry a 20kg payload and operate for 5 hours on a single charge, moving at speeds up to 1.2 m/s.
What sets Figure 02 apart are its advanced AI capabilities. The robot features speech-to-speech conversation abilities and an onboard vision language model (VLM), allowing it to interact more naturally with humans and understand its environment through visual data.
Technical improvements over its predecessor include:
1. A 2.25 kWh custom battery pack providing over 50% more energy
2. Integrated cabling for enhanced reliability and packaging
3. Six onboard RGB cameras feeding into its AI-driven vision system
4. Advanced hands with 16 degrees of freedom and human-equivalent strength
5. Triple the computational power for real-world AI tasks
Figure has partnered with BMW Manufacturing to test Figure 02 in industrial settings, demonstrating its potential to integrate into existing manufacturing workflows.
While the exact details of Figure 02’s AI system aren’t public, its capabilities suggest it may be running a fine-tuned version of GPT-4o mini. This would align with Figure’s partnership with OpenAI and the robot’s ability to perform speech-to-speech reasoning. In my opinion, it’s likely that Figure 02 is powered by a customized version of GPT-4o Mini, which would perfectly match the description of its onboard VLM with speech-to-speech reasoning capabilities.
The practical applications of Figure 02 extend beyond manufacturing. Its human-like form factor and advanced AI could make it suitable for various commercial and domestic tasks, potentially improving productivity and efficiency across multiple industries.
As autonomous humanoid robots like Figure 02 continue to develop, it’s crucial to consider both their potential benefits and the challenges they may present. While they offer exciting possibilities for automation and assistance, their integration into workplaces and homes will require careful planning and adaptation.
Ultimately, Figure 02 represents an intriguing glimpse into the future of robotics and AI. Its combination of physical capabilities and advanced cognitive functions opens up new possibilities for human-robot collaboration and task automation. As development continues, we can expect to see even more sophisticated and capable humanoid robots emerging in the coming years.
