The Race for Humanoid Robots Is Accelerating. The American Start-Up Figure AI Impresses with Its Figure 02 Model, Now Capable of Loading a Dishwasher with Remarkable Dexterity. This Demonstration Confirms Its Lead Over Tesla and Its Optimus Robot.
Figure 02 Demonstrates a Complex Household Task with Remarkable Dexterity
In a recent video, Figure 02 skillfully picks up glasses, plates, and bowls with sufficient grip to hold them without breaking.
It then places them in the correct position and orientation inside a dishwasher. While a few movements are still awkward—like a plate falling forward when the drawer closes—it’s nonetheless a technological achievement for a robot.
This performance showcases the rapid advancements of Figure AI. In just a few months, the robot has learned to walk like a human, manipulate various objects, and now, perform a specific household task. Due to these developments, Figure 02 is already positioned as a reference model in the field of androids.
An AI Specialized in Adapting the Robot to New Tasks
The key to Figure 02 lies in its “brain”: Helix, a vision-language-action (VLA) AI developed by Figure AI. This system enables the robot to understand a scene, analyze language, and execute the corresponding action. In essence, it can quickly learn new tasks by observing human demonstrations.
This same AI engine has allowed it to progress rapidly: walking, manipulating clothing in a washing machine, and now loading a dishwasher. Each stage brings humanoid robots closer to integration into our homes and workplaces.
Figure 02 Appears More Advanced Than Tesla’s Optimus Robot
The comparison with Optimus, Tesla’s robot, is inevitable. In a video shared by Marc Benioff (CEO of Salesforce), Optimus hesitantly responds to a simple question about soda.
After long pauses, he eventually suggests going to check in the kitchen. His slow movements and still inoperative hands contrast sharply with the fluidity of Figure 02.
Moreover, the announced price for Optimus remains vague. Benioff mentions a cost between $200,000 and $500,000, far from the $20,000 originally promised by Elon Musk.
This discrepancy fuels skepticism regarding the commercial viability of the project. In the meantime, Figure AI is demonstrating tangible results with a robot already capable of performing everyday tasks.
A Demonstration That Foretells the Arrival of Robots in Our Homes
The experience of Figure 02 proves that humanoid robots are advancing rapidly. While it’s not yet perfect, each new demonstration pushes the boundaries of what these machines can achieve.
Ultimately, these robots could assist humans with numerous tasks: preparing meals, tidying a room, or helping the elderly.
Thus, the video showcasing the dishwasher is more than just a technical feat. It signifies a stepping stone in transforming our household habits and paves the way for closer human-machine coexistence.
