OpenAI-backed robotics company Figure has teased its new humanoid in a video, which will be released on August 6.
Taking on the competition to the likes of Tesla and Boston Dynamics, Figure’s founder Brett Adcock claims that their new 02 variant is the “most advanced humanoid on the planet.”
The video provides an quick look at the components on offer with the Figure 02 robot, featuring close-ups of joints and limbs, flexible mesh body designs, and torque ratings reaching up to 150Nm.
It also highlights a range of motion (ROM) of up to 195 degrees, providing a glimpse into the robot’s capabilities.
In a recent development, the California-based firm released a video last month showing its 01 humanoid robot performing its first task , which involved assisting with car assembly at a US BMW plant.
Flexible robotic structure
The teaser video opens with a reimagined robot foot design, illustrating an innovative approach to ground interaction. The side profile reveals a human-like foot shape capable of fitting a shoe.
However, the rear portion of the foot diverges significantly from human anatomy, featuring a gap between the ankle and heel that allows for a rotating motion, akin to human foot and ankle movements.
Textured bumps on the sole enhance traction across various surfaces. The video then highlights new actuators, detailing their torque and range of motion specifications.
For instance, the A2 actuator has a torque of 50Nm with a 48° range, while the L1 and L4 actuators offer 150Nm torque with 195° and 135° ranges, respectively. The symmetrical leg design reduces manufacturing complexity, relying on software for adaptability.
The most impressive part of the video is the redesigned hand of Figure 02, closely resembling a human hand. With rubberized grip bumps on the fingertips, varying finger lengths, and an opposable thumb, it demonstrates impressive dexterity and speed.
Equally interesting are the hexagonal 3D-printed structures that shift from a flexible to a rigid state. This flexible design enhances human-robot interaction safety, preventing pinch points.
The teaser also offers a glimpse of the Figure 02 head, with a display indicating battery life and possible intent communication through lights. The neck, finished with a mesh material similar to speaker grills, demonstrates mobility, potentially matching human-like movements in multiple directions.
Transforming labor solutions
Figure aims to transform the sector by addressing labor shortages and strengthening supply networks.
The organization currently serves clients all over the United States, establishing itself as a major force in resolving labor-related issues.
Figure’s ambitious endeavor is supported by an outstanding array of investors, including Jeff Bezos, Microsoft, Nvidia, OpenAI, Intel, Samsung, and others.
The company not only raised $675 million in the second round of funding, taking its total valuation to $2.6 billion, but has also disclosed a fresh collaboration with OpenAI, the developer behind ChatGPT.
With its first humanoid, Figure 01, the company aims to go beyond single-function robots by combining the human form’s dexterity with state-of-the-art AI to serve manufacturing, logistics, storage, and retail sectors.
The fully electric robot has a height of 1.6 meters, a weight of 132 pounds (60 kilograms), including a payload of 44 pounds (20 kilograms), and a battery life of five hours. Notably, through the robot’s cameras, Figure’s neural networks process images at 10 Hz. At 200 Hz, they generate actions with 24 degrees of freedom.
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