California-based robotics company Figure AI has announced an ambitious plan to produce 100,000 humanoid robots over the next four years, leveraging advanced AI technology and forming strategic partnerships with companies such as BMW, OpenAI, and Microsoft. The company’s CEO, Brett Adcock, shared the vision in a recent LinkedIn post, detailing their strategy to deploy humanoid robots capable of executing complex tasks in real-world environments.
In his post, Adcock emphasized that Figure AI’s approach would initially focus on a select number of major clients, rather than trying to quickly capture a broad market. “Early on, it’s more efficient for us to grow vertically within a few clients than to spread out across many,” he explained.
One of the company’s key clients is BMW, marking the first time the German automotive giant has integrated humanoid robots into its production process. BMW has been testing Figure AI’s ‘Figure 02’ robot in real-world manufacturing conditions. According to Milan Nedeljković, BMW AG’s Board Member for Production, the company is conducting trials to determine the potential applications for humanoid robots in its production line. “With an early test operation, we are now determining possible applications for humanoid robots in production. We want to accompany this technology from development to industrialisation,” said Nedeljković. The ‘Figure 02’ robot has successfully demonstrated its ability to assist in placing sheet metal parts into fixtures for car body assembly.
Although Figure AI has not revealed the name of its second major client, Adcock described it as “one of the biggest US companies,” and indicated the potential for high-volume deployments that could help reduce production costs and accelerate improvements in AI capabilities. He believes that between both clients, the company can reach its goal of deploying 100,000 robots within the next four years.
Figure AI’s humanoid robots, including the ‘Figure 01’ and ‘Figure 02’ models, are designed for use in commercial and industrial sectors. Initial versions had limitations in speed and dexterity, but recent improvements have significantly enhanced their performance. The ‘Figure 02’ model, for example, moves at a speed of 1.2 meters per second (approximately 2.68 miles per hour), which is close to the average human walking pace. The company is already working on the next-generation ‘Figure 03’ robot, expected to bring even further advancements in performance.
By entering the humanoid robotics field, Figure AI is positioning itself as a competitor to industry giants like Tesla, Agility Robotics, and Unitree. While the United States remains a hub for robotics innovation, China is quickly emerging as a formidable player, with eight of the world’s top 16 humanoid robotics companies based there.
The applications for humanoid robots are vast, ranging from manufacturing and logistics to healthcare and domestic use. Although Figure AI has long-term aspirations for both commercial and consumer markets, its current focus remains on industrial deployments, with the company aiming to meet the growing demand for automation in various sectors.
