Core Viewpoint - Figure AI, founded in 2022, has rapidly gained attention and a valuation close to $40 billion, sparking debates about its potential as a transformative force in robotics or merely a speculative bubble in technology [2][4][19] Company Background - Figure AI was founded by Brett Adcock, who has a history of successful startups, including a recruitment platform and an electric aircraft company [4] - Adcock's vision for Figure AI is to integrate AI systems into the physical world through humanoid robots, with the first product, Figure01, launched in October 2023 [5][6] Product Development - Figure01 was designed to facilitate AI interaction with the physical world, despite initial hardware issues [5] - The second product, Figure02, launched in August 2024, features significant upgrades and a self-developed control model called Helix, which integrates visual, language, and motion capabilities [6][19] Commercialization Challenges - Figure AI's partnership with BMW has faced scrutiny, with reports questioning the extent and nature of the collaboration [8][10] - The company has been labeled as a "demo company," raising concerns about its actual commercial viability and the simplicity of tasks performed by its robots [10][19] Market Perception and Investment - The rapid rise in Figure AI's valuation reflects a broader trend of investor enthusiasm for humanoid robotics, but skepticism remains regarding the technology's maturity and commercial pathways [12][19] - Industry experts express concerns about the disconnect between technological advancements and capital expectations, highlighting the need for practical applications and economic value [19][20] Future Outlook - The success of Figure AI will depend on its ability to demonstrate that humanoid robots can effectively address labor shortages and aging populations, ultimately determining whether it becomes a leader in the field or a cautionary tale of overvaluation [20]

Core Viewpoint - Figure AI, founded in 2022, has rapidly gained attention in the humanoid robotics sector, achieving a valuation close to $40 billion within three years, raising questions about its legitimacy and potential as a transformative technology or a speculative bubble [1][4][12] Group 1: Company Background and Development - Figure AI was founded by Brett Adcock, who has a history of successful startups, including a recruitment platform and an electric aircraft company [4] - The company aims to integrate AI into the physical world through humanoid robots, with its first product, Figure01, launched in October 2023, featuring OpenAI's language model [4][5] - Figure02, the second product, was released in August 2024, boasting significant upgrades in both hardware and software, including advanced sensory capabilities [6][7] Group 2: Financial Growth and Valuation - Figure AI has experienced rapid financial growth, with a Series A funding of $70 million in May 2023 (valuation of $400 million) and a Series B funding of $675 million in February 2024 (valuation of $2.6 billion) [6] - The company is reportedly negotiating a new funding round of $1.5 billion, which could elevate its valuation to $39.5 billion [6] Group 3: Commercialization Challenges - Concerns have arisen regarding Figure AI's claims about its partnership with BMW, with reports suggesting that the actual deployment of Figure robots in BMW's operations is limited [7][8] - The company faces skepticism about its commercialization strategy, as early demonstrations have led to accusations of being a "demo company" rather than a viable commercial entity [7][9] Group 4: Market Perception and Future Outlook - The discourse surrounding Figure AI reflects broader industry skepticism about the viability of humanoid robots, with experts questioning whether the technology meets commercial standards [10][11] - The company’s mission to address global labor shortages and aging populations through humanoid robots is seen as a potential driver for future demand, but the actual need for humanoid robots remains debated [11][12] - The ongoing tension between technological advancement and capital expectations highlights the challenges Figure AI faces in aligning its development pace with investor demands for rapid commercialization [13][14]

拉松比赛没有涉及到机器人灵巧手，而这是人形机器人实际作业的最重要部件，亦庄在今年还会举办 人形机器人运动会，届时我们可以看到人形机器人更多方面的技能。 本文约 6 0 0 0 字，推荐阅读时长 2 0 分钟，欢迎关注新财富公众号。 1 人形机器人马拉松：不要高估短期进展，也不要低估长期进步 4月19日，全球首个有人形机器人参加的半程马拉松比赛在北京亦庄举办，人形机器人半马是人形机 器人走出实验室，走向应用的一次考验，赛道共计21.0975公里长，地面并不平整，中间略高、两侧 稍低，沿路伴有减速带和碎石，共计6个左转道与8个右转道，转道的转弯角度≥90°，坡道角度最高达 9°。这种长距离与复杂地形并存的场景，对人形机器人而言，是一次针对关节精度、热管理、电源系 统、控制算法、通信干扰等问题的极限测试。 共计20支人形机器人参加比赛，其中7个跑完了全程，国家地方共建具身智能机器人创新中心的天工 队机器人天工Ultra以2时40分42秒的成绩获得冠军。亚军是松延动力N2，季军为卓益得机器人旗下的 行者二号。本次比赛并没有要求机器人完全自主运行，也允许更换电池甚至更换机器人本体，"换 人"罚时10分钟，获得冠军的天工 ...

Investment Rating - The report does not explicitly provide an investment rating for the robotics industry [3]. Core Insights - Meta is investing $60 billion in a comprehensive layout, including a focus on robotics, with plans to hire around 100 engineers for AI humanoid robot development [3]. - Google has re-entered the humanoid robotics field by investing 2.5 billion in Apptronik and collaborating to integrate Gemini 2.0 into their Apollo robot [4]. - Figure, a humanoid robotics company, has made significant breakthroughs in self-developed AI robotics and has signed contracts for 100,000 humanoid robots, with a current valuation of $39.5 billion [5]. - Ant Group is recruiting for positions related to embodied intelligent humanoid robots, indicating a strategic move into this sector [6]. - Unibot is conducting research on large models and training, focusing on real-world interactions [6]. - Yushu Technology showcased its humanoid robot's advanced dance capabilities, highlighting its technical advantages [8]. - Huichuan Technology is establishing a humanoid robotics team and plans to launch standardized components in 2024, aiming to set industry benchmarks [9]. Summary by Sections Meta's Robotics Strategy - Meta is forming a new team within its Reality Labs to focus on AI humanoid robots, targeting household tasks and developing foundational AI and software for other manufacturers [3]. Google's Investment and Collaboration - Google has invested in Apptronik and is collaborating to enhance their Apollo robot with advanced AI capabilities, positioning itself as a competitor in the robotics and AI sectors [4]. Figure's Developments - Figure has terminated its partnership with OpenAI and achieved major advancements in self-developed AI robotics, with plans to showcase unprecedented capabilities soon [5]. Ant Group's Recruitment - Ant Group is actively recruiting for roles related to humanoid robotics, indicating a commitment to developing this technology [6]. Unibot's Research Initiatives - Unibot is exploring the integration of large models with physical interactions, focusing on advanced training methodologies [6]. Yushu Technology's Showcase - Yushu Technology's humanoid robot demonstrated impressive dance skills, showcasing its technical prowess and attracting attention in the market [8]. Huichuan Technology's Strategic Positioning - Huichuan Technology is building a humanoid robotics team and aims to introduce standardized components, leveraging its expertise in industrial control [9].