On October 9 (local time), Figure, a U.S.-based humanoid robot company, unveiled its latest innovation—the third-generation humanoid robot, Figure 03.

Designed with Helix technology, home applications, and large-scale manufacturing in mind, Figure 03 sets the stage for the development of multipurpose robots.

Figure 03 excels in the following three key areas:

Helix Integration: Figure 03 features a reengineered sensory system and hand mechanism, specifically tailored to support Helix—Figure's proprietary visual-language-action AI framework.

Home Applications: Figure 03 incorporates numerous new features, such as soft-textured surfaces, wireless charging capabilities, an enhanced voice inference audio system, and improved battery safety measures, ensuring safer and more user-friendly operation in residential settings.

Scalable Production: Figure 03 is engineered for mass production. Figure leverages BotQ's advanced supply chain and manufacturing techniques to reduce production costs significantly.

Brett Adcock, the founder of Figure, proclaimed on X (formerly Twitter): "This is the finest humanoid robot globally."

Internet users speculated that this development might keep Elon Musk on his toes.

Headquartered in San Jose, Figure AI was established in 2022 by Brett Adcock, the visionary behind Archer Aviation and Vettery. The team comprises specialists in robotics, artificial intelligence, sensing, perception, and navigation, drawing on expertise from industry leaders such as Boston Dynamics and Tesla.

So, what are the standout features of Figure 03's design? Let's delve deeper.

Figure's objective for the third-generation robot is straightforward: to empower the world with genuine reasoning abilities through Helix.

Guided by this vision, Figure 03 introduces a cutting-edge sensory system and hand mechanism, bringing Helix to life in practical settings.

Figure 03 also debuts a next-generation visual system optimized for rapid visual-motor control. Its innovative camera design doubles the frame rate, cuts latency by a quarter, and broadens each camera's field of view by 60%. This setup provides Helix with a richer and more consistent stream of sensory data, boosting the robot's capacity for intelligent navigation and precise manipulation in intricate environments.

Each robotic hand is equipped with an integrated palm camera boasting a wide field of view and low-latency sensing, offering redundant close-range visual feedback during object manipulation. Even if the primary camera is obstructed, Figure 03 can sustain visual perception and maintain continuous real-time adaptive control.

The robotic hands of Figure 03 are designed with softer, more responsive fingertips, expanding the contact area and enabling more stable handling of objects of diverse shapes and sizes.

Figure has also developed its inaugural generation of tactile sensors, adhering to three core tenets: exceptional durability, sustained reliability, and high-precision sensing.

Figure 03 is equipped with 10 Gbps millimeter-wave data transfer capabilities, facilitating the upload of multiple terabytes of data. This enables Figure 03 to support extensive, end-to-end pixel-based learning.

To ensure seamless operation in homes, Figure 03 incorporates multi-density foam and is clad in soft fabric. Compared to its predecessor, Figure 02, Figure 03 is **9% lighter** and significantly more compact, facilitating easier movement within residential spaces.

Moreover, Figure 03 has enhanced its audio hardware for superior real-time voice conversion. The speaker size has doubled compared to Figure 02, and the power output has nearly quadrupled. The microphone placement has also been optimized to enhance performance and clarity.

Before robots can become ubiquitous in households, mass production remains a critical challenge. Figure 03 addresses this through three key strategies:

Revamping the design process

Implementing a new supply chain

Establishing large-scale production facilities, BotQ

Figure 03 employs mold processing techniques like die-casting, injection molding, and stamping, substantially reducing the per-unit manufacturing cost. The team has also forged a new supply chain, vertically integrating multiple modules—including actuators, batteries, sensors, structures, and electronics—all designed in-house.

BotQ is a specialized manufacturing facility conceived by Figure to scale up robot production. The initial first-generation production line can churn out 12,000 humanoid robots annually. Figure 03 aims to ramp up production to 100,000 robots per year within the next four years.

Industry experts have hailed Figure 03 as a groundbreaking advancement in humanoid robotics. By merging sophisticated perception and tactile intelligence with home safety design and production scalability, Figure has created a versatile platform capable of learning, adapting, and functioning effectively in both residential and commercial settings.

Reference: https://www.figure.ai/news/introducing-figure-03