A lawsuit filed by former safety engineer Robert Gruendel alleges that Figure AI's Figure 02 humanoid robot is capable of exerting force sufficient to fracture a human skull, and that he was dismissed after raising safety concerns. Figure AI denies the claim, attributing his termination to poor performance. Meanwhile, a demonstration by Chinese robotics firm Engine AI saw its CEO knocked to the ground by the company's T800 robot, raising questions about the strength and safety of such machines. Both events highlight growing scrutiny over the risks associated with advanced humanoid robots. Read more →

Figure AI introduced its newest humanoid robot, Figure 03, showcasing a softer mesh exterior, fully articulated fabric‑covered hands with palm cameras, and tactile sensors. The robot demonstrated household tasks such as collecting plates, sweeping debris, folding shirts, and loading a dishwasher, while moving at a cautious 2.6 mph and operating for about five hours per charge. Powered by OpenAI models and Nvidia robotics stacks, Figure 03 relies on generative AI for vision‑language‑action capabilities. Although highlighted as a Time Magazine Best Innovation, the company gave no timeline for home delivery and suggested a price in the tens of thousands of dollars. Read more →