Figure AI, a robotics startup focusing on humanoid robots, is in the spotlight for a potential important funding round, according to Bloomberg. The company is nearing a deal to raise up to $500 million, with significant contributions expected from Microsoft and OpenAI, positioning it towards a staggering pre-money valuation of $1.9 billion. Microsoft’s expected investment is around $95 million, and OpenAI’s contribution is pegged at $5 million, underscoring their heavyweight status in the AI industry and their interest in innovative AI applications.

The importance of this funding round cannot be overstated, as it might catapult Figure AI into the elite unicorn status, with valuations potentially exceeding $2 billion post-money. The negotiations, however, are still ongoing and not yet finalized, leaving room for changes in investment figures or the possibility of a fallout.

The project at the heart of Figure AI’s ambitious vision is Figure 01, a robot leveraging AI to mimic human behaviors and appearance, aimed at revolutionizing workforce deployment in hazardous environments. This initiative reflects a broader trend in the AI robotics sector, which has seen significant investment and innovation, highlighting the industry’s growing momentum and the strategic roles of companies like Microsoft and OpenAI.

Featured image: Credit: Figure AI