Figure 01 & 02 Robots: The Future of Humanoid AI
The most exciting proof-of-concept for a future where AI has a physical body. This is the one to watch.
The Big Picture
This is the product that has everyone in AI and robotics holding their breath. It's not a consumer device, but it's the most exciting proof-of-concept for a future where AI has a physical body.
What It Is
A general-purpose humanoid robot from the startup Figure AI. It's designed to work alongside humans in manufacturing, logistics, and eventually, everywhere else.
The AI Magic
This robot learns. After partnering with OpenAI in 2024 for its vision and language models, Figure made a stunning announcement in early 2025: they had a breakthrough with their own in-house, end-to-end AI.
Instead of being programmed, the robot learns by watching. In its most famous demos, it watches a human make a cup of coffee and then replicates the task—handling the cup, pressing the button, and waiting—all from visual input. Its new Figure 02 models are already being deployed in BMW's manufacturing plant, learning to perform real-world factory jobs.
The Verdict (As of late 2025)
You can't buy it, but this is the one to watch. This is the "ChatGPT moment" for physical AI. The rapid learning speed suggests that a capable, general-purpose robot is no longer 30 years away—it might be less than 5. Figure is currently the most exciting company in the world in this space.