There’s a Sudden Obsession with Robots, and Figure AI Isn’t Missing Out

Jeff Cardenas, Founder of ​​Robotics startup, Apptronik in his recent interview said, “My view, my vision for the future is that robots will be human helpers. They'll help us in all aspects of our life and maybe nowhere more important than as we age and as we grow older.”

Humanoid robots have been the staple of science fiction, but today, they are moving closer to reality as companies pour billions into their development. From Tesla’s Optimus to SoftBank’s new investments and Figure AI’s Bot Q, the push for human-like machines is intensifying. The question is: why now? The answer lies in a mix of technological advancements, labor shortages, and aggressive corporate strategies that see humanoid robots as the next big thing.

The Investment Rush

SoftBank, the Japanese conglomerate known for its bold bets on emerging technologies, is once again making moves in the humanoid space. Having previously developed Pepper, a semi-humanoid robot designed for customer service, SoftBank is now shifting its focus to more advanced humanoids. In February 2024, SoftBank participated in a $675 million funding round for Figure AI, a company at the forefront of humanoid robotics.

SoftBank is reportedly planning to invest $1 trillion to establish AI-equipped factories across the United States. These factories will be located in industrial parks across the country and will be outfitted with robots designed to address labor shortages that American manufacturers are currently grappling with. The reported investment amount exceeds the $500 billion investment SoftBank CEO Masayoshi Son had previously announced in January 2024.