In context
By early 2025, humanoid robots were transitioning from lab demonstrations to real-world industrial trials. Figure AI had been testing its robots at BMW's Spartanburg plant, and the announcement of a first paying customer signaled a potential shift toward commercial viability in the sector.
What was reported
Figure AI founder and CEO Brett Adcock announced on LinkedIn that the company had delivered F.02 humanoid robots to its first commercial client, making Figure a revenue-generating company. The client's identity was not disclosed. The milestone came 31 months after filing as a C-Corp.
Prior to this, Figure's robots had been trialed at BMW's factory in Spartanburg, South Carolina, marking BMW Group's first use of humanoid robots in production. The trials used the Figure 02 robot, which successfully placed sheet metal parts into fixtures for body assembly, demonstrating tactile capabilities.
BMW board member Milan Nedeljković noted the company was determining possible applications for humanoids in production, aiming to accompany the technology from development to industrialization.
Why it mattered
Securing a commercial customer gave Figure AI a competitive edge as humanoid robots gained credibility in manufacturing. This development suggested that humanoids were moving beyond trials toward practical deployment, potentially reshaping automation strategies in factories.
“With an early test operation, we are now determining possible applications for humanoid robots in production.”
Source: Robotics & Automation News (roboticsandautomationnews.com) · Published 2025-01-02 · “Humanoid robotics startup Figure AI finds its first customer”