Development is moving very quickly
The figure has unveiled its humanoid robot, Figure 01, and publicly demonstrated how it walks for the first time.
Over the past year, the company has grown to 60 employees. It includes engineers in artificial intelligence, controls, embedded software, electrical, mechanical, drive design, batteries, integration and testing. The company announced a $70 million investment round in May 2023 and developed the robot in just over 12 months.
The humanoid robot Figure 01 will go on sale soon. First demo published
Figure has a shiny metal case. This version of the robot includes a backpack for the battery. The arms have seven degrees of freedom, the legs and feet have six, and the hand has six. A total of 41 degrees of freedom are mentioned for all parts of the robot.
The hands received a standard set of five fingers, each finger consisting of two phalanges. The foot and ankle are a simple hinged platform.
The Figure team was able to achieve dynamic walking in less than a year, which the company claims is one of the fastest results in the history of humanoid robots.
The robot will be given commands about how quickly to move, and then it must think about tasks such as balance, where to place its feet, and how to move its arms so that it is not affected by external disturbances or changes in ground height when moving.
Separately, the Figure team is developing manipulations with arms, hands, and fingers. This development continues independently of the work of the walking/gait commands to make the robot move and navigate.
The robot is expected to go on sale next year.
