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Figure 03, our 3rd generation humanoid robot

figure.ai

61–70 of 417 posts

Re: Figure 03, our 3rd generation humanoid robot

#61
post #45

It's going to be wild when these things cost 30 grand, and we all start having them in our houses. Along with fusion, I think robots in the home will be the defining technology of our generation. It's been talked about and fictionalized forever, and within my lifetime I expect the economics on it to finally break through. Equal parts terror, awe, fear, when it comes to having a robot in my home.

Can't wait to read the headline when one of them gets hacked and turned into murderous robots.

I did not murder him!

Re: Figure 03, our 3rd generation humanoid robot

#62
post #25

If this is real it would be so easy to create a hype video that shows one of these things out in the wild handling unscripted situations with adversarial actors. But the fact we always see the same basic tasks in these videos makes me deeply suspicious that this is demoware. Bring in the Boston Robotics hockey stick guy for starters

Yea, the selected short clips are extremely suspicious.

Re: Figure 03, our 3rd generation humanoid robot

#63
I hope robots like these will be used to help the elderly continue to live in their homes. There is a huge need to support the aging society and not enough people. I believe this would be more useful than replacing receptionists or people that have industry jobs.

Re: Figure 03, our 3rd generation humanoid robot

#64
post #28

As my parents get older, I'm starting to understand the real value that robots / autonomous driving has for addressing core accessibility issues. I have no idea about the maturity of this company in particular, but it's interesting that glossy robotics startups never lean in on that as a core user base.

It's because they are not ready for real life applications (yet). Currently makers of humanoid robots have to ride the hype train, and this works better with addressing the desire of owning a bot that will make your life more luxurious.

Re: Figure 03, our 3rd generation humanoid robot

#65

I don't understand why this even has to charge at all. It makes sense for multiple reasons to give it 3 batteries that say have 1/3 of the capacity, and make at least 1, if not 2 or 3 capable of charging independently on a station. Then the robot would just go to its station and swap its own batteries. Why even have wireless charging at all? Or even a cable? Or even have it "charge"? Battery swapping seems to make wa…

It depends on the battery life. If the robot lasts all day, then charging at night via standing on a charging pad makes a lot of sense. Creating a removable battery pack adds extra weight and gives the designers less freedom to place the battery pack exactly where it needs to be in the robot frame, or distribute the cells across the frame in strategic locations.

Also, the charge rate matters. If robot can charge to 80% in say 30 minutes, then it can take small charging breaks during the day between critical tasks.

Also, if the feet have inductive chargers, it's possible to place the robot on a large charging mat that allows it to run indefinitely, like in a factory environment. If your robot takes 30 minutes to fold the laundry or do dishes, why not place a charging mat at these locations so it can work and charge at the same time.

In the future, new homes might include charging coils embedded in the floor every 12 inches so that your robots can work all day.

Re: Figure 03, our 3rd generation humanoid robot

#66
post #31

Earlier quoted context omitted.

This raises a very interesting philosophical question - what do our lives look like if every single inconvenience disappears? Something tells me we would be just as miserable (or happy) as when we had those inconveniences. On the other hand, would the removal of these inconveniences allow for the highest calling of humanity - I argue creativity - to flourish to the fullest? My gut reaction is once again that inconven…

We will never run out of small inconveniences. Today's world would look impossibly convenient and easy to anyone from 100 years ago, let alone 1000 or 10,000. Yet we still perceive hardships. Humanoid robot servants won't change human nature. Besides, servants are nothing new. They're rare in the US but common in some other countries, and the people who grow up with them are maybe somewhat different but not radically…

A few months ago a read an article written by a woman who has dated a few men from extremely wealthy families. The article was about why you are dumb if you plan to "marry rich".

One reason that caught my attention was how she described the behavior of these people, who have the world at their fingertips, who have never really known hardship, and in turn have full blown meltdowns about the most trivial annoyances. What car will we drive on our trip?! The salmon cracker appetizers are too salty to be served! They stocked the wrong oat milk in the mini-fridge!

Almost like the need to get upset over inconveniences is ingrained, and when there is a lack of real ones, your brain just latches onto whatever it can to let the "freakout" out.

Re: Figure 03, our 3rd generation humanoid robot

#67
post #2

Maybe it's just me, but everything about this announcement feels very I, Robot... and not in a good way. > allowing the entire fleet to upload terabytes of data for continuous learning and improvement Ugh. Edit: Yes, I meant I, Robot the film. U.S. Robotics and the like.

Nearly everything about this screams I, Robot and it is kinda wild that they went that route with this article. The package delivery and the quick intro and head turning in particular.

I agree on the data part. I love the potential idea of a humanoid robot at home to take care of chores, but now it seems like the potential for it not being constantly connected and collecting data is gone out the window.

I find it quite strange that they are openly bragging about how much data it will be gathering and uploading from within your home. That feels like the part you would not say out loud.

Re: Figure 03, our 3rd generation humanoid robot

#68
post #44

Earlier quoted context omitted.

I've skipped all the other past smart home trends, I think I'll skip this one too. I'll just do the dishes and laundry myself like I always have no biggie.

You wouldn't want a hand if you became infirm? In richer countries, human helpers are expensive.

Not if it's anything like any of the other home automation stuff I've seen. Some people treat configuration and troubleshooting as a hobby. I have no interest in doing it recreationally.

Re: Figure 03, our 3rd generation humanoid robot

#69

I don't understand why this even has to charge at all. It makes sense for multiple reasons to give it 3 batteries that say have 1/3 of the capacity, and make at least 1, if not 2 or 3 capable of charging independently on a station. Then the robot would just go to its station and swap its own batteries. Why even have wireless charging at all? Or even a cable? Or even have it "charge"? Battery swapping seems to make wa…

It’s too bad there isn’t some kind of liquid battery which you could just quickly top off at refueling stations with virtually zero downtime. Yes, like gasoline. But still batteries. Maybe some kind of bearing sized batteries which can be poured like a fluid?

You are describing a fuel cell battery

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fuel_cell

Well established and even commercialized (Toyota sells fuel cell cars today IIRC), just not as cost effective in cars from a full infrastructure perspective (fueling specifically).

Re: Figure 03, our 3rd generation humanoid robot

#70

I don't understand why this even has to charge at all. It makes sense for multiple reasons to give it 3 batteries that say have 1/3 of the capacity, and make at least 1, if not 2 or 3 capable of charging independently on a station. Then the robot would just go to its station and swap its own batteries. Why even have wireless charging at all? Or even a cable? Or even have it "charge"? Battery swapping seems to make wa…

The most likely reason is that even doing a pre-programmed battery swap with consistent battery and slots is way beyond the capabilities. It also can't even plug itself in to charge.

Yet, it's being sold as capable of doing and folding your laundry.

I would sell th stock to the next idiot the moment they announced this.

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