On February 14, Reuters reported that robotics startup Figure AI is in discussions with investors to secure $1.5 billion in funding, which would place the company's valuation at $39.5 billion. According to Bloomberg News, sources familiar with the matter disclosed that Align Ventures and Parkway Venture Capital are likely to lead the investment, with details still subject to potential alterations.
Despite inquiries, neither Align Ventures nor Figure AI have responded promptly to requests for comments.
Last year, Figure AI raised $675 million in funding with notable investors including Nvidia, Microsoft, and Amazon.com founder Jeff Bezos, valuing the company at $2.6 billion.
The realm of humanoid robotics is witnessing heightened competition, with major tech players such as Nvidia, Meta Platforms, and Tesla delving into this field alongside burgeoning startups. The prominence of advanced AI models is propelling innovation in robotics and automation.
Meta Platforms has established a new division within its Reality Labs unit aimed at creating AI-powered humanoid robots for physical tasks, as revealed in an internal company communication disclosed to Reuters.
In 2024, Tesla's CEO Elon Musk expressed that the company's humanoid robots, dubbed Optimus, could potentially be operational by the year's end.
The increasing capabilities of AI-powered software are renewing investor enthusiasm for humanoid robots by expanding the potential for human-robot interactions and collaborations.