Brett Adcock, the founder of robotics company Figure AI, predicts a near-future where humanoid robots will be as numerous as humans, particularly in residential settings. Speaking on the tech podcast "Around the Prompt," Adcock stated that the home could see useful humanoid robots within the next decade, driven by significant advances in both hardware and neural network technology. Over the past decade, hardware has become much more reliable, enabling robots to perform complex tasks with increased precision. Adcock highlighted Figure AI’s recent update to its humanoid robot, Helix, which can now handle an hour of uninterrupted logistics work, managing packages on a conveyor belt. This progress indicates that the neural networks powering these robots are approaching human speed and performance, making practical applications more feasible. Figure AI, established in 2022, has raised a total of $2.34 billion, with $1.5 billion coming from its latest Series C funding round in February. The round was led by SaxeCap, 1802 Ventures, and Vegvisir Capital, pushing the company’s valuation to $2.6 billion. Initial capital for Figure AI was largely provided by Adcock himself, who previously founded electric aircraft company Archer and AI talent marketplace Vettery. The current climate in deep tech has seen a surge in dedicated funding, with investors recognizing the potential for significant business opportunities in this field. Other notable players in the humanoid robotics market include Tesla’s Optimus, a 5-foot-8 robot capable of performing domestic chores and scheduled for factory deployment by the end of the year. Boston Dynamics’ Atlas can run, crawl, and perform acrobatic feats, while Agility Robotics’ Digit has been tested in Amazon’s warehouses. These robots exhibit a range of motor skills that can complement human labor, particularly in jobs considered dangerous or unpleasant. Figure AI aims to develop general-purpose humanoids that can positively impact humanity by eliminating the need for unsafe and undesirable jobs. Adcock envisions a future where humanoid robots will seamlessly integrate into daily life, performing tasks such as fetching drinks or patrolling office premises. He believes that these robots will serve as the ultimate deployment vector for Artificial General Intelligence (AGI), enhancing their utility and integration. However, some industry experts question the efficacy of the humanoid form for all robotic applications. Fei-Fei Li, cofounder and CEO of World Labs, argues that the requirements of different tasks necessitate diverse robotic forms. For instance, underwater robots should resemble fish for energy efficiency, and flying drones should not mimic human anatomy. This highlights a debate within the robotics community about the optimal design for task-specific robots. Despite these differing opinions, the field of robotics continues to attract substantial investment. In 2024, the general robotics sector saw $6.1 billion in venture capital funding, a 19% increase from the previous year, according to PitchBook. This growth encompasses companies involved in data collection, AI model development, and robotic fleet management, reflecting a broader ecosystem being built around advanced robotics. Adcock’s vision of a future rich with humanoid robots, supported by significant technological advancements and robust funding, underscores the rapid pace of innovation in this field. While the practical and ethical implications of such a future remain topics of discussion, the technological groundwork is being laid to bring sophisticated humanoid robots into everyday life. Industry insiders note that the increasing investment and technical progress in robotics suggest that humanoids could indeed become ubiquitous in homes and workplaces. However, they caution that the optimal design for robots depends heavily on the specific tasks they are meant to perform, and a diverse approach may be more practical and efficient in the long run. Companies like Figure AI, Tesla, Boston Dynamics, and Agility Robotics are leading the charge, but the debate over the best form for robots will likely continue as the technology evolves and expands.