Human-like robots could start taking over everyday jobs in the next few years, according to a startup working to bring the bots to life.
Key Details
- Startup company Figure is looking to launch its humanoid robot in the next 10 years, with the primary goal of completing jobs humans no longer want to do, such as in factors or warehouse, in retail, and elder care.
- The company is run by tech entrepreneur Brett Adcock who previously founded Archer Aviation—aiming to commercialize flying taxis.
- Figure recently completed its first humanoid that stands about 5’6″ and weighs 130 pounds. The company is working to eventually have it be able to walk, climb stairs, open doors, use tools, and lift heavy objects.
Why it’s news
Over the last few years, America has faced an intensive labor shortage, especially in labor-intensive jobs such as restaurants and warehouses. A new startup thinks it has solved this problem with humanoid robots that resemble and act just like humans to take over the jobs.
New startup Figure has created humanoid robots shaped like humans that feature high-tech hands that can grip, hold, and lift objects.It is still in the starting stages of production, but the company hopes to have the bots commercialized in the next 10 years.
“We think we can get into commercial operation within a few years,” says founder Brett Adcock. “We should be able to do most jobs—physical labor jobs that humans don’t want to do.”
The company has a team of 40, including leading roboticists from Boston Dynamics and Tesla, reports Axios. They recently started moving into a 30,000-square-foot facility in Sunnyvale, California, with plans to set up a mock warehouse to test the robot’s capabilities.
Building robots that can look and replicate human actions is difficult and expensive as it is challenging to create movements that mimic human behaviors. Still, Adcock says technology has come a long way and will move even further in the next decade.
“This stuff just wasn’t possible 10 years ago—I think it’s possible now,” he says.