Why Figure and OpenAI Couldn’t Share the Same Dance Floor

OpenAI and Figure once shared a vision to innovate humanoid robotics, but the partnership fizzled. Figure's CEO, Brett Adcock, recently divulged how their collaboration turned into competition.

The Short-Lived Partnership

Figure's relationship with OpenAI began with optimism. OpenAI co-led Figure's Series B round in 2024, aiming to develop next-gen AI models for humanoid robots. However, less than a year in, Adcock walked away. He cited OpenAI's contribution as insignificant, aside from their brand power.

Adcock praised OpenAI's prowess in chatbot development but flagged a critical issue: AI for robotics needed a distinct approach. Figure's internal team, comprising talents from top AI firms like Google DeepMind, was up to the task. But the collaboration struggled. "In robotics, you've got to run the robot, see how it does," Adcock said, highlighting how difficult it was to get OpenAI to participate actively.

A Sudden Shift to Competitors

Adcock recounted OpenAI's shift from partners to potential competitors. After observing Figure's progress, OpenAI decided to pursue humanoids internally. This revelation left Adcock with only one thought: "This is over." It wasn't just a partnership that dissolved but a channel of information that could've been risky if their paths crossed in competition.

Since then, OpenAI has set up a robotics lab teaching robotic arms household tasks, expanding their presence in this field. Their support for companies like the Norwegian-American 1X suggests they're serious about humanoids. OpenAI's expansion raises a question: Can they outpace specialized firms in a field that demands more than AI wizardry?

Hiring Trouble and Lessons Learned

Adcock noted that the partnership complicated Figure's hiring efforts too. Many candidates misunderstood the division of labor, thinking OpenAI was solely responsible for model development. This misconception, Adcock explained, made recruitment challenging.

Ultimately, the experience offers a lesson in partnerships where brand allure can't replace active contribution. In a tech landscape where AI capabilities are constantly evolving, Figure's decision to rely on its own team might just be the strategic move they needed. The real bottleneck isn't the model. It's the infrastructure and the people behind it. Could this separation lead Figure to innovate faster?

For Figure, stepping out of OpenAI's shadow could provide the clarity and focus they need to stand out in the competitive humanoid robotics arena.