California-based robotics company Figure AI has unveiled a plan to manufacture 100,000 humanoid robots over the next four years, utilising AI technology and partnerships with BMW, OpenAI, and Microsoft. In a recent LinkedIn post, Figure AI CEO Brett Adcock outlined the company's strategy, saying that he plans on deploying robots capable of performing complex tasks in real-world environments.

In the LinkedIn post, Adcock highlighted working with a select number of major clients rather than broad market penetration. "Early on, it's more efficient for us to grow vertically within a few clients than to spread out across many," Adcock stated.

One of the two major clients of Figure AI is BMW, marking the first time the German automotive giant has integrated humanoid robots into its production process. According to the official BMW Group website, trials have been conducted using Figure AI's 'Figure 02' robot, which has been tested in real-world manufacturing conditions.

"With an early test operation, we are now determining possible applications for humanoid robots in production. We want to accompany this technology from development to industrialisation," said Milan Nedeljković, BMW AG Board Member for Production, regarding the project.

During trials, the 'Figure 02' robot successfully placed sheet metal parts into special fixtures, contributing to the car body assembly process, states BMW.

Figure AI's second major client remains undisclosed, but Adcock described it as "one of the biggest US companies", with potential for high-volume deployments that could drive down production costs and accelerate AI-driven improvements. "Between both customers, we believe there is a path to 100,000 robots over the next four years," says Adcock.

Figure AI's humanoid robots, including the 'Figure 01' and 'Figure 02' models, are designed for commercial and industrial applications. While earlier iterations had limitations in speed and dexterity, recent advancements have significantly improved their capabilities, states a recent article by Forbes.

The 'Figure 02' model, for example, moves at 1.2 metres per second (approximately 2.68 miles per hour), close to an average human walking pace. The company is already working on the next-generation Figure 03, which is expected to bring further performance enhancements.

Figure AI's entry into the humanoid robotics space places it in direct competition with industry heavyweights like Tesla, Agility Robotics, and Unitree. While the US remains a hub for robotics innovation, China is also emerging as a formidable player, with eight of the world's top 16 humanoid robotics companies based there, further states the Forbes article.

The potential applications for humanoid robots extend beyond manufacturing to logistics, healthcare, and even domestic use. While Figure AI has long-term aspirations for both commercial and consumer markets, its immediate focus remains on industrial deployments.