WATCH: Humanoid robot works 8-hour factory shifts without human oversight

Figure AI, a California-based robotics company, livestreamed its humanoid robot operating a full 8-hour shift in a warehouse on May 13–14, performing tasks like picking, scanning, and sorting packages without human oversight. The robot, powered by Figure AI’s Helix-02 AI system, combined vision, touch, and movement into a single neural network to handle continuous work, including detecting and orienting packages at a pace similar to human workers. The company deployed multiple robots to ensure seamless operations, with machines capable of self-diagnosing issues and calling for backup autonomously. The demonstration aimed to prove humanoid robots could sustain a full workday—a key milestone for commercial adoption in warehouses and factories. Figure AI CEO Brett Adcock highlighted the achievement on social media, emphasizing the robots’ ability to match human performance levels without breaks. Minor errors, such as slowdowns or misplaced items, were visible in real time, showcasing the technology’s current limitations alongside its progress. Industry experts consider autonomous 8-hour shifts a critical benchmark for robotics, transitioning from lab demonstrations to real-world deployment. Figure AI has secured major investments, with a valuation reportedly reaching tens of billions, reflecting growing interest in humanoid automation. The company’s success positions it as a leader in a competitive field, where rivals like Tesla (with its Optimus robots) and Boston Dynamics (with its Atlas model) are also advancing humanoid robotics for industrial use. In Asia, Chinese firms are rapidly scaling production of similar robots, accelerating a global race to integrate humanoid technology into manufacturing and logistics. Tesla has already deployed over 1,000 Optimus robots in its factories, with broader production planned for 2026, while Boston Dynamics’ Atlas robots are being tested in Hyundai facilities. Figure AI’s achievement underscores the potential for humanoid robots to reshape labor-intensive industries, though challenges like reliability and adaptability remain before widespread adoption.