Figure AI Announces Break from OpenAI
Figure AI, a robotics company developing general-purpose humanoid robots, has announced its decision to terminate its collaboration with OpenAI. The company shared this update on Tuesday via its official X account, citing a “major breakthrough” in its internal AI research as the reason for the split.
Following the announcement, Figure AI’s founder and CEO, Brett Adcock, spoke with TechCrunch, revealing that the company plans to unveil “something no one has ever seen on a humanoid” within the next 30 days. However, he refrained from sharing specific details about the breakthrough.
Background of the OpenAI-Figure AI Partnership
OpenAI has been a key investor in Figure AI, backing the startup in its efforts to develop advanced AI models for humanoid robots. In 2023, the two companies entered a formal agreement to integrate OpenAI’s technology into Figure’s humanoids. During the same period, Figure AI secured $675 million in funding, bringing its valuation to $2.6 billion. To date, the company has raised a total of $1.5 billion from investors.
Given OpenAI’s immense influence in the AI sector, the decision to part ways comes as a surprise. Last August, Figure AI announced that its upcoming Figure 02 humanoid robot would leverage OpenAI’s models for natural language communication.
Challenges with Integration
Adcock cited integration difficulties as the primary reason for ending the collaboration. While OpenAI possesses cutting-edge intelligence models, its focus is not on embodied AI, which involves applying AI to physical machines like robots.
“To solve embodied AI at scale in the real world, you have to vertically integrate robot AI,” Adcock explained. “We can’t outsource AI for the same reason we can’t outsource our hardware.”
Instead of relying on OpenAI, Figure AI is now working on developing its own AI models tailored specifically for humanoid robotics.
OpenAI’s Expanding Role in Humanoid Robotics
Despite this setback, OpenAI continues to maintain a strong presence in the humanoid robotics space. The company is a major investor in Norwegian robotics startup 1X, which is shifting its focus towards household humanoid robots.
Meanwhile, Figure AI is prioritizing industrial applications over domestic use. Automakers have shown more interest in humanoid robotics, as they have the financial resources to support innovation. In fact, BMW has already started deploying Figure robots at its South Carolina factory.
Speculation on OpenAI’s Humanoid Ambitions
Recent developments suggest OpenAI may be considering its own humanoid hardware. On Friday, the company filed a trademark application with the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO) related to humanoid robotics. The filing mentions:
- “User-programmable humanoid robots”
- “Humanoid robots with communication and learning capabilities for assisting and entertaining people.”
While trademark filings do not guarantee future products, the timing of this news—just days after Figure AI’s exit—raises speculation about OpenAI’s next steps in robotics.
Figure AI’s Growth and Future Plans
Despite severing ties with OpenAI, Figure AI’s substantial funding rounds have allowed it to rapidly expand its hardware and software teams. The company recently moved into a larger Bay Area office to accommodate its growing workforce.
When it comes to AI software development, Figure AI seems to be adopting an approach similar to Apple’s closed ecosystem, where proprietary software is optimized for specific hardware. This method enhances efficiency but is also resource-intensive.
The Industry Trend Toward In-House AI Development
Most humanoid robotics companies are now shifting towards developing their own AI models. However, industry partnerships remain common. For example, in October, Boston Dynamics partnered with Toyota Research Institute to enhance the AI capabilities of its Atlas humanoid robot.
With the humanoid robotics sector evolving rapidly, Figure AI’s decision to develop its own AI models signals a growing trend of companies aiming for full vertical integration to ensure greater control over their technology.
