Today, Figure has officially announced its successful completion of a $675 million Series B funding round, valuing the Bay Area robotics firm at $2.6 billion. This incredible achievement confirms long-standing rumors of substantial financial backing for the company. Notable investors in this round include Microsoft, OpenAI Startup Fund, Nvidia, Amazon Industrial Innovation Fund, Jeff Bezos (through Bezos Expeditions), Parkway Venture Capital, Intel Capital, Align Ventures, and ARK Invest. With this influx of capital, Figure, a relatively small startup with an 80-person team, is poised for significant growth in the near future.
Figure’s founder, Brett Adcock, initially self-funded the company with $100 million before securing an additional $70 million in Series A funding last May. The company, founded in 2022, set out with the ambitious goal of developing a bipedal walking robot within a year, a goal it claims to have achieved. Recent videos showcase the robot’s walking capabilities, marking a significant milestone for the young company.
Image Credits: Figure
Humanoid robotics is currently a burgeoning field, with companies like Tesla, Apptronik, and 1X showcasing their innovations. Figure joins the ranks of those working towards humanoid robot development, especially in workplace settings where the potential for high-impact automation is significant. The company’s focus on creating human-like robots stems from the belief that a versatile, humanoid design allows for more adaptable and capable machines.
Through a strategic partnership with OpenAI, Figure aims to enhance its robotic capabilities by leveraging generative AI models for improved communication and reasoning. This collaboration aligns with Figure’s mission to advance the commercial applications of humanoid robots by integrating cutting-edge AI technologies.
Image Credits: Figure
Microsoft’s involvement in Figure’s growth signifies a strategic partnership leveraging Azure technology for AI infrastructure, storage, and training. This collaboration aims to accelerate AI advancements in humanoid robotics, showcasing a commitment to innovation and advancement in the robotics field.
Image Credits: Figure
