Robotics & Automation News

Where Innovation Meets Imagination

figure ai

China opens world’s first humanoid robot store. Will the Western world follow?

by

China has opened what is being described as the world’s first dedicated humanoid robot store, called “Robot Mall”, offering customers the chance to browse and buy from more than 40 different brands of androids.

Located in Beijing, the shop is part showroom, part dealership, and part interactive exhibition. Visitors can see robots performing a variety of tasks – from greeting customers and demonstrating language skills, to lifting and carrying objects.

The store’s operators say it marks a milestone in bringing humanoid robotics into everyday life, offering models suited for entertainment, education, customer service, and light industrial work. [Read more…] about China opens world’s first humanoid robot store. Will the Western world follow?

Figure AI shocks the internet by showing its humanoid robot doing laundry like a pro

by

Figure AI has captivated audiences with a new viral video showing its humanoid robot, Figure 02, performing household laundry tasks with impressive autonomy. (See video below.)

In footage shared by CEO Brett Adcock on X, the robot is seen efficiently grabbing garments from a basket and loading them into a washing machine – marking a notable achievement in embodied household robotics.

While Figure 02 does not yet operate the washer’s controls itself, this milestone demonstrates its ability to handle the physical manipulation of garments – loading and unloading – in a real‑world setting using its Helix Vision‑Language‑Action model. [Read more…] about Figure AI shocks the internet by showing its humanoid robot doing laundry like a pro

Shock price: Unitree launches $5,900 humanoid robot

by

Unitree Robotics has launched what may be the most affordable humanoid robot to date – the Unitree R1, priced at just $5,900 – dramatically undercutting rivals and aiming directly at the consumer mass market. (See video below.)

The 25-kilogram robot combines dynamic movement capabilities with a built-in Large Multimodal AI Model for both voice and image interaction.

With 26 degrees of freedom across its legs, waist, arms, and head, the R1 is designed for adaptability in real-world environments, functioning as a customizable intelligent companion. [Read more…] about Shock price: Unitree launches $5,900 humanoid robot

Spotlight on humanoids: A deep dive into Figure AI

by

Founded in 2022, Figure AI, a US-based company, has quickly become a notable player in AI-powered humanoid robots.

In this article, we explore Figure AI’s technology, potential impact, and future within the robotics market. We will examine the company’s background, technology, applications, and prospects, considering the competitive landscape and challenges in installing humanoid robots at scale.

The intense early interest in Figure AI suggests a groundbreaking approach in the robotics sector, potentially addressing critical market needs with unique technological advantages. [Read more…] about Spotlight on humanoids: A deep dive into Figure AI

UPS explores use of humanoid robots from Figure AI to alleviate problems caused by labor shortages

by

UPS, one of the world’s largest logistics companies, is in talks with robotics startup Figure AI to explore the potential deployment of humanoid robots in its logistics operations, according to Bloomberg, in what could become a significant milestone in warehouse automation.

The robots under discussion are Figure AI’s flagship model, the Figure 02 – a bipedal, AI-powered humanoid standing 5 feet 6 inches tall and capable of lifting up to 20 kilograms.

Designed to operate in environments built for humans, the robot is intended to perform physically repetitive tasks such as lifting, sorting, and transporting packages. [Read more…] about UPS explores use of humanoid robots from Figure AI to alleviate problems caused by labor shortages

Figure AI unveils new humanoid robot with ‘three times’ more computing power than it had before

by

Humanoid robotics startup Figure AI reveals new robot using Nvidia Isaac Sim for synthetic data and generative AI models trained on Nvidia accelerated computing for real-time inference

Silicon Valley’s Figure AI has taken the wraps off of its next-generation Figure 02 conversational humanoid robot that taps into Nvidia Omniverse and Nvidia GPUs for fully autonomous tasks.

Figure said it recently tested Figure 02 for data collection and use-case training at BMW Group’s Spartanburg, South Carolina, production line. [Read more…] about Figure AI unveils new humanoid robot with ‘three times’ more computing power than it had before

‘Billions’ of megalomaniacal humanoids could, one day, ambush the entire world

by

“Billions” of megalomaniacal humanoids could ambush the entire world and go for a global takeover, according to people who worry about these things too much.

With so many companies turning their attention to building these infernal machines that look more and more like their human counterparts, it might be only a matter of time before pioneering roboticists unwittingly unleash the end of the world as we know it.

The inevitability of such an outcome, as laughable as it may seem to some people, is actually being seriously contemplated by political and business leaders alike. [Read more…] about ‘Billions’ of megalomaniacal humanoids could, one day, ambush the entire world