The video showing a humanoid robot from Figure.AI autonomously loading and unloading a dishwasher is followed by another video. Once again, the vision-language-action model (VLA) called Helix 02 demonstrates that the robot (the Figure 03 model) moistens a table with a spray bottle, wipes it down with a cloth, pushes some building blocks into a basket, places others from the sofa into the basket, straightens cushions, and finally turns off the TV with the remote control. The robot also seems to suffer from a slight obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD), as it then aligns the remote control on the table parallel to the table edges.
Note: I also tend to do it this way…
In his LinkedIn post about this video, Figure.AI CEO Brett Adcock emphasizes that the robot performs these tasks autonomously, i.e., not remotely controlled or instructed by a preprogrammed loop.
What challenges does the humanoid robot overcome exactly?
- Cleans surfaces using a coordinated approach with tools: Moisten a dirty surface with a spray bottle and then wipe it vigorously with a towel to remove the dirt.
- Handles flexible objects dynamically: masters the complex dynamics of a towel—hangs it from the arm, repositions it to clean, and throws it over the shoulder to keep hands free.
- Performs complex two-handed manipulations: lifts a container with both hands and holds it steady while shoveling blocks from the table into the container.
- Use whole-body strategies for greater efficiency: clamp a container under one arm so that both hands are free to pick up toys.
- Performs dynamic throwing movements: Throws a cushion back onto the sofa with a quick, controlled movement.
- Perform precise tasks with one hand: Take a remote control, turn it in your hand, and press the right button to turn off the TV.
- Perform precise tasks with one hand: Take a remote control, turn it in your hand, and press the right button to turn off the TV.
- Moves with precise steps through narrow spaces: climbs sideways through the narrow gap between the coffee table and the couch while continuing your activity.
Figure.AI is one of more than 160 manufacturers of humanoid robots, which develop and produce a total of around 200 models. You can find out more about humanoid robots in my book Homo Syntheticus: How Humans and Machines Are Merging, which will be published in early June. The book is already available for pre-order in bookshops.
