Figure and OpenAI: From Partners to Rivals in Humanoid Robotics

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Key Takeaways

1Figure has ended its partnership with OpenAI after less than a year, according to its CEO Brett Adcock.

2The partnership with OpenAI complicated recruitment at Figure due to misunderstandings about the respective roles of the two companies.

3OpenAI has since launched a robotics lab, pursuing its own humanoid projects, and has supported the robot manufacturer 1X.

💡Why it matters — The separation marks a turning point in the competition for the development of AI and humanoid robotics, influencing innovation and recruitment in the sector.

Figure and OpenAI: A Failed Collaboration

The partnership between Figure and OpenAI, two major players in the field of artificial intelligence and robotics, lasted only a few months. Brett Adcock, the CEO of Figure, recently explained the reasons for this separation during an interview. According to him, the collaboration did not yield the expected benefits, particularly due to difficulties in mobilizing the OpenAI team for practical demonstrations at the office.

Adcock emphasized that this collaboration complicated recruitment for Figure. Potential candidates often felt that Figure was solely focused on robotics, while OpenAI handled the development of AI models. This confusion required constant clarifications from Figure, which also had its own dedicated team for AI model development.

A Shift Towards Competition

OpenAI, initially a partner of Figure, has become a direct competitor after deciding to develop its own humanoids in-house. This decision was made shortly after OpenAI co-led a Series B funding round for Figure in 2024. The initial partnership aimed to create next-generation AI models for robots, but the collaboration quickly ended when Figure opted to pursue its AI development internally.

Adcock revealed that the OpenAI team, while impressive in the field of chatbots, did not meet the specific needs of humanoid robotics. He praised the skills of his internal team, composed of former Google DeepMind employees, whom he referred to as "superstars" in the field.

Challenges of Collaboration

The collaboration with OpenAI was hindered by logistical and organizational difficulties. Adcock mentioned that integrating the teams was complicated, particularly because it was challenging to bring OpenAI members to the office to work together on robotic projects. This situation limited joint advancements, despite OpenAI's evident interest in the progress made by Figure.

During a visit from Altman and other OpenAI executives, they were impressed by the neural network developed by Figure. However, shortly thereafter, OpenAI announced its intention to develop its own humanoids, thus ending the collaboration with Figure.

OpenAI Moves Forward

Since the separation, OpenAI has intensified its efforts in the field of robotics. The company has established a dedicated lab, employing around 100 data collectors to teach a robotic arm how to perform household tasks. Additionally, OpenAI has supported the Norwegian-American robot manufacturer 1X, thereby expanding its reach in robotics.

OpenAI did not respond to requests for comments regarding this separation. However, Tao Xu, an OpenAI employee since 2019, disputed Adcock's claims by reposting a clip on X, labeling the statements as "not true."

Impact on Recruitment

The end of the agreement with OpenAI also had repercussions for recruitment at Figure. Adcock explained that the association with OpenAI created confusion among potential candidates, who believed that Figure was limited to robotics. Despite the brand recognition brought by the partnership, Adcock concluded that the real benefits were limited, and the recruitment challenge persisted.