Figure 02 Takes A Leap in Humanoid Robotics With Its New Upgrades

Figure introduced us to Figure 01 in November of last year but the same company has dropped the latest version of its humanoid robot, Figure 02. In this latest version of the dynamic bipedal humanoid robot, one can automatically see the significant upgrades and advancements the company has made in order to keep up with the evolving landscape and rather competitive industry.

One of the most noticeable changes in Figure 02 compared to its predecessor, Figure 01, is the streamlined design. The wires, which were more exposed in the earlier model, are now neatly tucked away, signaling a shift from the prototyping stage toward a more polished and refined version.

This evolution in design mirrors what we’ve observed in other second-generation humanoid robots, such as Tesla’s Teslabot and Boston Dynamics’ Atlas, where aesthetic and functional improvements are often aligned with progress toward commercial viability, and of course, aesthetics.

Equipped with six onboard cameras, Figure 02 gains a comprehensive view of its environment, enhancing its ability to interact with the world around it. The robot’s hands, featuring ten fingers and 16 degrees of freedom, are engineered to deliver what Figure describes as “human-like strength.”

Speaking of, Figure 02 can now carry a max load of 25kg or approximately 55 pounds. This is a noticeable increase from the 44-pound carrying capacity of the Figure 01. This upgrade in finger dexterity and arm strength unlocks massive potential for Figure 02 to be deployed in various industries and jobs — from healthcare to factory work.

As impressive as all these may already seem, Figure takes it up a notch by integrating artificial intelligence into Figure 02. With the company’s partnership with OpenAI technology, Figure 02 can have similar interactive features available in ChatGPT’s mobile app.

Best of all, Figure 02 has been installed with built-in speakers and microphones, so by pairing that with its AI capabilities, humans can start engaging in flawless conversation with said humanoid robot. This makes Figure 02 not just suited for physical tasks but also for roles that would require human-robot interaction.

But what are all these upgrades for if your humanoid robot easily runs out of steam? Well, Figure has “figured” that one out by upgrading Figure 02’s battery life. The company has installed a new battery pack inside the robot’s torso, extending its operational time by more than 50% over Figure 01, which was originally a 5-hour runtime. This increase in battery life means that Figure 02 can work for longer and accomplish more tasks in one day.

We reckon that BMW might just be the first recipient of and witness to Figure 02’s working capabilities as Figure has teamed up with the conglomerate. This collaboration between Figure and BMW may lead to the exploration of utilizing humanoid robots, such as Figure 02, in the process of automobile manufacturing, potentially revolutionizing how cars and other products are made.

With all that said, Figure 02 has certainly helped advance the field of humanoid robotics. These upgrades and collaborations provide us with a glimpse of what the future of robotics may be in the next few years, and we are certainly excited about it.