Added: Aug 3, 2023
In this episode of the Moonshots and Mindsets podcast, the host interviews Brett Adcock, the CEO of Figure, an AI robotics company focused on developing autonomous humanoid robots. Adcock discusses his moonshot goal of putting as many humanoids as humans on the planet to make physical labor a choice. He believes that humanoid robots can solve important labor force problems and perform tasks that are dangerous, monotonous, and boring for humans.Adcock predicts that in the next few decades, there could be billions more humanoid robots than humans on the planet. He envisions a future where humanoids are present in various industries, such as warehousing and manufacturing, and even in people's homes. He believes that the cost of humanoid robots will decrease as manufacturing volumes increase, making them more accessible to the general public. Adcock estimates that the cost of a fully functional humanoid robot could be comparable to that of a cheaper electric vehicle. The timeline for the availability of humanoid robots for commercial use is expected to be within the next few years. Adcock aims to demonstrate the capabilities of Figure's humanoid robot in real-life applications within the next 24 months. The company plans to release videos showcasing the robot's walking abilities and other functionalities. Adcock emphasizes the importance of building a strong AI data engine to train the robot and improve its capabilities over time. Regarding the design of the humanoid robot, Adcock explains that Figure aims to strike a balance between physics and commercial market demands. The robot's height is set at five feet six inches, which allows for efficient power usage and interaction with the human-operated world. The weight target is 60 kilograms, and the robot is designed for fast walking rather than running. Adcock highlights the importance of keeping the robot's design close to human proportions to avoid the uncanny valley effect. Adcock addresses concerns about job displacement and disruption caused by humanoid robots. He argues that there is a significant labor shortage in many industries, and humanoids can fill the gaps in jobs that are undesirable or dangerous for humans. He believes that the initial focus should be on applications in warehousing and manufacturing, where the talent shortage is most acute. Adcock emphasizes that humanoids are not meant to replace humans but to work alongside them and perform tasks that enhance productivity and safety. In terms of AI capabilities, Adcock discusses the use of large language models and vision language models to enable humanoids to understand and interact with humans. Figure plans to train its own vision language models using the robot's sensor data to improve semantic understanding and high-level behaviors. The interconnectedness of humanoid robots allows for collective learning, where one robot's knowledge is shared with the entire fleet. Adcock continues by expressing his passion for working on humanoid robots and his belief that this is the right decade to make significant progress in the field. He sees humanoid robots as a crucial solution to labor force challenges and envisions a future where they are widely adopted in various industries and homes. Adcock is committed to building a successful business that can make a substantial impact on humanity and potentially contribute to the development of artificial general intelligence. Adcock discusses his fascination with robots and how movies like Star Wars and Terminator inspired him. He explains that his interest in robotics led him to pursue a degree in mechanical engineering and eventually start his own company. The conversation then shifts to the current state of humanoid robotics. Adcock explains that while there have been significant advancements in the field, there is still a long way to go before robots can truly mimic human behavior. He emphasizes the importance of focusing on practical applications of robotics rather than trying to create perfect human replicas. Adcock also discusses the challenges of building humanoid robots, particularly in terms of hardware and software integration. He explains that creating a robot that can perform complex tasks requires a combination of mechanical engineering, artificial intelligence, and computer vision. The conversation then turns to the potential impact of humanoid robots on various industries. Adcock believes that robots can be particularly useful in industries that involve repetitive or dangerous tasks, such as manufacturing and healthcare. He also discusses the potential for robots to assist with tasks like caregiving and companionship for the elderly. Adcock goes on to discuss the challenges and opportunities of being an entrepreneur in the robotics industry. Adcock emphasizes the importance of focusing on product development and shipping products quickly. He advises entrepreneurs to prioritize building useful products rather than getting caught up in PR or branding efforts. Adcock also discusses the importance of building a strong team and culture within a company. He believes that having the right people and a supportive culture is crucial for success in the robotics industry. In terms of his own company, Figure, Adcock explains that they are focused on creating robots that can assist with household tasks. He discusses the potential applications of their robots, such as cleaning, cooking, and gardening. In conclusion, this podcast episode provides insights into the rise of humanoid robotics and the challenges and opportunities in the field. Adcock's journey from sci-fi enthusiast to CEO of a robotics company highlights the potential for robots to transform various industries. His emphasis on practical applications and the importance of product development and team building offers valuable advice for entrepreneurs in the robotics industry.
