OpenAI’s Partnership with Figure AI to Develop Humanoid Robots
OpenAI, the creator of ChatGPT, has recently announced a collaboration agreement with Figure AI to work on developing next-generation AI models for humanoid robots. The goal of this partnership is to enhance the capabilities of Figure’s robots to better process and reason from language, with the aim of helping in everyday life.
According to a press release shared with Business Insider, Figure AI stated that the collaboration with OpenAI will help accelerate its commercial timeline by leveraging OpenAI’s research and large multimodal models. This move comes as Figure also announced a successful Series B funding round, raising $675 million and valuing the company at $2.6 billion. With backers like Microsoft, Nvidia, and Jeff Bezos, Figure AI is well-positioned to make significant advancements in the field of robotics.
OpenAI has been vocal about its belief in the transformative potential of robotics in the future of work. Last year, the company led a $23.5 million funding round in the robotics startup 1X Technologies, showing its commitment to advancing the capabilities of humanoid robots. OpenAI’s COO, Brad Lightcap, emphasized the company’s confidence in 1X Technologies’ impact on the future of work and its innovative approach to robotics.
In a statement from Peter Welinder, OpenAI’s vice president of product and partnerships, he expressed the company’s excitement about exploring the possibilities of humanoid robots powered by advanced multimodal models. Figure’s robot, Figure-01, is designed to support various industries such as manufacturing, logistics, warehousing, and retail, aiming to address labor shortages and improve efficiency.
With over half a million manufacturing job openings unfilled in the US as of August 2023, Figure’s robot comes at a crucial time to help meet industry demands. By showcasing the robot’s ability to operate a coffee machine through AI learning, Figure’s CEO Brett Adcock highlighted the groundbreaking nature of end-to-end AI capabilities. As the robot fleet expands and collects more data, the AI models can continuously improve performance and adapt to new tasks.
OpenAI’s involvement in the development of humanoid robots underscores the company’s commitment to advancing AI technology for real-world applications. By collaborating with Figure AI, OpenAI aims to push the boundaries of what robots can achieve in daily life and contribute to shaping the future of work.
Conclusion
OpenAI’s partnership with Figure AI represents a significant step towards the advancement of humanoid robots powered by advanced AI models. With a focus on enhancing capabilities in processing language and reasoning, Figure’s robot, Figure-01, holds promise for various industries facing labor shortages. As technology continues to evolve, the collaboration between OpenAI and Figure AI paves the way for innovative solutions in robotics that could reshape the future of work.
