Humanoid robots work nonstop in package test

Figure AI’s three Helix-02 humanoid robots surpassed expectations by running continuously for over 24 hours during a test originally planned for eight hours. The robots, named Bob, Frank, and Gary by livestream viewers, sorted more than 28,000 small packages without human intervention, using onboard AI to detect barcodes and adjust to challenges like awkwardly placed objects. The company’s Helix-02 AI system combines vision, touch sensing, and movement control, enabling the robots to operate autonomously at speeds matching human workers. The test highlighted the robots’ ability to recover from errors independently, resetting automatically when stuck or leaving the work area for maintenance if needed. Figure AI emphasized that no remote human control was involved, with every action driven by Helix-02’s neural network. The livestream drew public attention, with the robots’ nicknames and visible name tags adding a relatable touch to the demonstration. The achievement underscores Figure AI’s focus on industrial applications, particularly in warehouses and manufacturing. The company previously tested its robots at BMW’s South Carolina facilities, suggesting early adoption in controlled environments like automotive production. Competitors such as Tesla, Agility Robotics, and Apptronik are also developing humanoid robots for similar logistics and factory tasks. While the robots excel at repetitive tasks like package sorting, their long-term impact on human workers remains uncertain. Figure AI’s CEO, Brett Adcock, noted the technology’s potential to fill labor gaps, but the demonstration also sparked discussions about job displacement in sectors reliant on manual labor. The company’s ability to scale this autonomy could redefine efficiency in industries where consistency and endurance are critical.