The AI robotics industry has seen a flurry of activity recently. OpenAI-backed Norwegian robotics startup 1X Technologies AS raised $100 million earlier this year, Vancouver-based Sanctuary AI is developing a humanoid robot named Phoenix, and Tesla is working on a robot called Optimus. Amazon-backed Agility Robotics is testing bots at one of the retailer's warehouses. The investments in Figure are part of a broader rush to find new applications for artificial intelligence.
Key takeaways:
- OpenAI, Microsoft, Nvidia, Jeff Bezos and other investors are backing a startup called Figure, which is developing human-like robots.
- Figure is raising about $675 million in a funding round with a pre-money valuation of roughly $2 billion. Bezos has committed $100 million, Microsoft $95 million, Nvidia and an Amazon-affiliated fund $50 million each, among others.
- The company's robot, Figure 01, is being designed to perform dangerous jobs unsuitable for humans and to help alleviate labor shortages.
- The AI robotics industry has seen significant activity recently, with other companies such as 1X Technologies AS, Sanctuary AI, and Tesla also developing humanoid robots.