July 13, 2012 - According to Business Insider, theHumanoid Robotcompany Figure AI Founder Brett Adcock's technology podcast Around the Prompt points out that a world where humanoid robots can do "useful work" is only a few years away.
The key to all this, it claims, is first and foremost advances in hardware. The reliability of hardware has improved dramatically over the past decade. "If the hardware doesn't work, you simply can't make this happen." Meanwhile, neural networks that mimic the brain's neural structure are evolving, pushing humanoid robots to become a reality.
Adcock mentioned that last week the company released an updated version of Helix, the humanoid robot, that allows it to accomplishOne hour of non-stop "logistical work."that can handle packages on a conveyor belt. This new development, he said, proves that its neural network "is approaching human speed and performance."
Founded in 2022, Figure has raised $2.34 billion (note: that's about RMB 16.786 billion at current exchange rates), with $1.5 billion of that coming from a Series C round in February of this year. According to PitchBook, the company is currently valued at $2.6 billion (RMB 18.651 billion at current exchange rates).
Currently, Figure has its robots interacting with employees in the office, asking if they need water or coffee, or just doing patrols. Adcock says that in the near future, "You'll see as many humanoids as humans., that would really be like a science fiction movie."