Figure AI, a U.S. startup specializing in AI-powered humanoid robots, has ended its partnership with OpenAI, following what CEO Brett Adcock describes as a significant advancement in their robot intelligence. This decision comes just months after both companies teamed up during a $675 million funding round that valued Figure at $2.6 billion. Adcock stated that Figure’s in-house AI development has rendered the collaboration unnecessary, as external partnerships have become cumbersome. The company is now focusing on high-volume robot production, with plans to deliver innovative technologies that could redefine humanoid capabilities. Figure has already secured partnerships with major clients, including BMW, and promises groundbreaking announcements within the month.
Figure AI Breaks Ties with OpenAI: A New Era for Humanoid Robotics
Figure AI, a U.S.-based startup dedicated to advancing AI-powered humanoid robots, recently announced its decision to part ways with OpenAI. This unexpected move comes just months after the two companies celebrated a $675 million funding round that valued Figure at an impressive $2.6 billion. According to CEO Brett Adcock, the company’s significant progress in robot intelligence made the partnership redundant.
The partnership aimed to enhance the natural language capabilities of Figure’s latest humanoid robot, the Figure 02. However, Adcock revealed that the company has achieved a “major breakthrough” in developing fully end-to-end robot AI systems entirely in-house. In a tweet, he stated, “Today, I made the decision to leave our Collaboration Agreement with OpenAI. Figure made a major breakthrough on fully end-to-end robot AI, built entirely in-house.”
This shift reflects broader changes within the AI landscape. As AI models become more advanced and commoditized, Figure AI believes that maintaining external partnerships has become increasingly irrelevant. In Adcock’s words, “For us, LLMs (Large Language Models) have quickly become the smallest piece of the puzzle.” This move frees Figure AI to focus on its proprietary technology and innovations.
Figure’s decision aligns with ongoing trends in AI and robotics, including OpenAI’s recent efforts to rebuild its robotics team and explore humanoid robots. Amidst rising competition from powerful AI companies, Figure AI’s internal advancements may offer them a competitive edge.
Alongside this strategic separation from OpenAI, Figure AI has secured partnerships with major clients, including BMW Manufacturing. These collaborations will drive the production of humanoid robots, with plans for 100,000 units over the next four years. The company’s unique data engine enables real-time learning and adaptation, making its robots highly effective in processing language and performing actionable tasks.
As Figure AI prepares to unveil its groundbreaking technology within the next 30 days, excitement builds in the tech community. Adcock promises that this announcement will showcase “something no one has ever seen on a humanoid,” hinting at significant advancements in robotic capabilities.
For those following the intersection of AI and robotics, this split between Figure AI and OpenAI marks a notable chapter in the evolution of humanoid technology. With promising innovations on the horizon, the robotics landscape is bound to see transformative changes in the near future.
Tags: Figure AI, OpenAI, humanoid robots, robot intelligence, artificial intelligence, robotics, technology news.
What is the Figure AI deal about?
Figure AI has made a deal with OpenAI following a significant advancement in robot intelligence. This partnership aims to enhance how robots function and learn through better AI technologies.
What is the ‘major breakthrough’ mentioned?
The major breakthrough refers to a significant improvement in robot intelligence, allowing robots to understand and perform tasks more efficiently. This development could lead to robots that are smarter and more capable.
How will this deal impact robots?
With the collaboration between Figure AI and OpenAI, we can expect robots to become more intelligent and capable of learning from their environments. This could open up new possibilities for robots in various industries.
When can we expect to see these advancements?
While no specific timeline is provided, the partnership aims to implement these advancements in the near future. We may see improved robots in our daily lives sooner rather than later.
Why is this deal important?
This deal is important because it combines advanced robot intelligence with powerful AI tools. It has the potential to revolutionize how robots work and interact with humans, making them more helpful and efficient.
