Figure AI, a prominent startup in the humanoid robot sector, entered into a commercial agreement with automobile manufacturer BMW early last year. This partnership signaled to venture investors and the robotics industry that Figure AI was a noteworthy innovator in this advanced field.
Brett Adcock, the founder and CEO of Figure, along with company-produced videos, have given the impression that a new phase in robotic manufacturing has begun. However, an examination of the partnership details reveals a more modest reality, raising questions about the veracity of Adcock’s statements.
According to a BMW spokesperson, until March, a Figure robot at BMW’s South Carolina plant was operating only during non-production hours, functioning in the body shop by picking up and placing parts. This contrasts with Adcock’s February claim that a “fleet” of humanoid robots was already executing “end-to-end operations” for BMW. Recently, this robot’s operations have shifted to live production hours but still involve limited tasks with a single unit.
BMW did not comment on the differences between Adcock’s February assertions and the operational reality, instead referring inquiries back to Adcock. Neither he nor representatives from Figure have responded to requests for further clarification.
The emergence of humanoid robots is currently generating significant interest. While Elon Musk’s Tesla project, Optimus, has garnered attention, Figure’s agreement with BMW stood out due to its real-world application in the U.S. Since its founding in 2022, Figure has secured over $700 million in funding from investors such as Microsoft, Nvidia, Intel Capital, and Jeff Bezos. In February, Reuters reported that Figure AI sought to raise an additional $1.5 billion, targeting a near $40 billion valuation.
Other technology firms, including Nvidia and OpenAI, have also initiated robot-centric projects, with market opportunities potentially reaching into the trillions, as suggested by a bullish report from ARK investment management firm last fall. Agility Robotics, another player in the field, is reportedly raising $400 million following deals such as one with Spanx for warehouse operations. Concurrently, firms like Apptronik and X1 have recently secured substantial funding.
When Figure announced its partnership with BMW in January 2024, a press release described the deal as a “milestone-based” approach, though financial terms and duration were not disclosed.
Amidst the competition, Figure’s humanoids are noted for their sleek design, featuring matte gray-and-black aesthetics, six cameras, AI capabilities, and dexterous hands.
In a statement on LinkedIn, Adcock highlighted the significance of their agreement with BMW, asserting that their robots were performing comprehensive operations. However, inquiries to BMW revealed that only one robot was active in their facility at a time, operating primarily during non-production periods. BMW spokesperson Steve Wilson stated that soon, a Figure robot would start short-interval loading during live production, but did not specify a timeline. These tasks mirrored those tested during off-hours, occurring in a real production setting.
Figure’s humanoid ultimately performs a singular task, placing parts into fixtures for welding by other robots. This contrasts with the “end-to-end operations” that Adcock mentioned.
In March, Adcock reiterated at a conference that the BMW robots were in regular operation, though the extent of production work remains uncertain based on BMW’s feedback.
A subsequent LinkedIn video from Adcock displayed a Figure robot engaged in production tasks at the BMW facility. The video showcased a Figure robot moving parts for welding, but questions remain regarding the second robot seen in the footage.
BMW acknowledges the partnership with Figure and confirms testing of the humanoid robot at their plant. Details about the collaboration are expected to be shared at an onsite press event in May.
These discrepancies, though, highlight uncertainties within the robotics sector that must be addressed to transcend promotional hype and establish trust.
