Are we on the verge of truly intelligent humanoid robots?
AI-powered robots are now learning to walk, talk, and handle objects with eerie human-like dexterity.
The answer
The convergence of large language models with advanced robotics has produced remarkable results. Figure AI's Figure 02, demonstrated in 2024, combined OpenAI's vision-language models with a humanoid body to hold conversations while performing physical tasks. Boston Dynamics' Atlas transitioned from hydraulic to fully electric in April 2024, gaining 23 degrees of freedom and far smoother movement. Tesla's Optimus robot began performing factory tasks in 2025. Backed by billions in venture funding, companies like Figure ($675 million Series B), 1X Technologies, and Agility Robotics are racing to deploy general-purpose humanoid robots in warehouses, homes, and manufacturing within this decade.
Source: IEEE Spectrum
- robotics
- humanoid robots
- figure ai
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