Figure AI announced today it will begin alpha testing its Figure 02 humanoid robot in home environments by the end of 2025, marking a significant milestone in bringing general-purpose robots into residential settings.
Why it matters: The move represents a major step toward integrating humanoid robots into everyday life, as Figure transitions from controlled demonstrations to real-world home testing with its 5’6″ bipedal assistant.
Technical Capabilities: The Figure 02 robot introduces several advanced features designed specifically for home environments. The humanoid combines sophisticated hardware with AI systems to navigate and interact with spaces built for humans:
- 16 degrees of freedom in each hand
- 5-hour battery life with 1.2 m/s movement speed
- 20kg payload capacity for household tasks
Testing Approach: The alpha program will follow a carefully structured methodology to ensure safety and functionality. Figure plans to implement a phased testing strategy that gradually expands the robot’s operational scope:
- Initial deployment with Figure employees
- Controlled testing of specific household tasks
- Gradual expansion to selected external testers
The Figure 02 differs significantly from single-purpose robots like vacuum cleaners or kitchen appliances. Its humanoid design allows it to use tools and appliances designed for humans, open doors, climb stairs, and manipulate objects with near-human dexterity.
The robot features six RGB cameras and runs an onboard vision language model that enables it to understand and interact with its environment. Recent demonstrations showed the robot performing tasks like making coffee, loading dishwashers, and retrieving items from refrigerators.
Looking ahead, Figure faces significant challenges in ensuring these robots operate safely and reliably in unpredictable home environments. The company must also address privacy concerns related to the robot’s advanced sensing capabilities and data collection practices.
