OpenAI is partnering with Figure, a startup specializing in robotics and AI, to develop humanoid robots. The goal is to use Microsoft Azure for AI infrastructure and OpenAI investment and guidance to deploy autonomous humanoid robots for commercial purposes.
By partnering with Figure to create a humanoid robot, OpenAI plans to use its research skills and extensive experience in developing AI models to continually improve models for robots, hoping to accelerate Figure’s commercial timeline.
“We have always considered returning to robotics and we see with Figure the possibility of exploring what humanoid robots can achieve when equipped with a high-performance multimodal model,” explains Peter Welinder, vice president of robotics. products and partnerships at OpenAI. “We are impressed by Figure’s progress to date and look forward to working together to unlock new possibilities for how robots can help in everyday life.” »
“Need to be at the forefront”
Figure had already announced a commercial agreement with BMW Manufacturing in January 2024. This agreement aims to introduce the start-up’s humanoid robots into the automobile manufacturing process, particularly for tasks that may be difficult, dangerous or monotonous for humans .
“At Figure, our goal is to introduce humanoid robots into commercial operations as soon as possible. This investment, combined with our partnership with OpenAI and Microsoft, ensures that we are well prepared to introduce embodied AI to the world to have a transformative impact on humanity,” argues Brett Adcock, Founder and CEO of Figure . “AI and robotics are the future, and I am grateful to have the support of investors and partners who believe in being at the forefront. »
The start-up also announced last week that it had raised $675 million in Series B funding. Among its investors, we find OpenAI of course, but also Startup Fund, Nvidia, Jeff Bezos, Parkway Venture Capital, Align Ventures, and ARK Invest. This fundraising values the start-up at $2.6 billion even though it was founded less than two years ago.
Source: ZDNet.com