Prominent figures like Jeff Bezos, Nvidia Corp., and other major players in the technology industry are investing in a company developing humanoid robots, as sources familiar with the matter reveal.
This investment surge i
s part of a broader effort to explore new uses for artificial intelligence.
The startup, Figure AI Inc., backed by OpenAI and Microsoft Corp., is in the process of raising approximately $675 million in funding, with a pre-money valuation estimated at around $2 billion.
Explore Investments LLC, led by Bezos, is providing $100 million, while Microsoft is injecting $95 million. Additionally, Nvidia and an Amazon.com Inc.-affiliated fund are each contributing $50 million.
According to the report, OpenAI, which once contemplated acquiring Figure, is now investing $5 million in the startup.
The backing also comes from Intel’s venture capital arm, LG Innotek, Samsung’s investment group, Parkway Venture Capital, Align Ventures, ARK Venture Fund, Aliya Capital Partners, and Tamarack. While big companies like, Nvidia, Amazon, Microsoft, and Intel chose not to comment, on this other mentioned parties, including Figure AI.
In the previous year, Figure, headquartered in Sunnyvale, California, and focused on creating versatile humanoid robots capable of operating in various settings and performing a range of tasks, secured $70 million in its initial external funding round. The investment was spearheaded by Parkway Venture Capital.
Recent developments in the AI robotics sector include OpenAI-backed 1X Technologies AS securing a $100 million investment, Sanctuary AI’s development of the humanoid robot Phoenix, and Tesla’s ongoing work on the Optimus robot.
Agility Robotics, supported by Amazon, is currently testing robots in its warehouses, showcasing the vibrant activity within this technological field.
Despite stepping down as CEO of Amazon, Jeff Bezos, ranked as the world’s second-richest person, remains actively involved in strategic investments, with an estimated net worth of $197.1 billion.
Comments 1