Figure AI receives $1 billion in funding, sparking market enthusiasm for several humanoid robot stocks

Figure AI, a company developing humanoid robots, has secured over $1 billion in committed capital in a funding round, bringing its valuation to $39 billion. If the deal goes through, the company will become one of the most valuable startups.

Bloomberg reported in February that Figure was in talks with investors for funding, aiming to raise $1.5 billion at a valuation of $39.5 billion.

Figure, leveraging recent breakthroughs in artificial intelligence technology to develop robots that resemble humans in appearance and movement, has reportedly become one of the most closely watched startups in the field. The company previously stated its ambitious goal is to create humanoid robots with “universal functionality”—robots that can reason and learn like humans.

The humanoid robot industry is entering a period of growth.

Recently, as a cutting-edge field in the future, humanoid robots are experiencing a technological inflection point from proof of concept to practical application, with both core hardware and intelligent software showing strong development momentum.

It’s worth noting that at the recently concluded 2025 Robotics Conference, several humanoid robots were showcased, further accelerating the implementation of the humanoid robot industry. For example, at the conference’s specially designed Robot Experience Center, humanoid robots were used in five simulated scenarios: welcoming guests, performing walking demonstrations, logistics sorting, assembly, and daily life, providing a truly surprising and engaging demonstration of research and development achievements.

Industry insiders point out that humanoid robots represent one of the most promising applications in the AI ​​wave. After nearly two years of substantial capital investment, large-scale model training and intelligence have reached new heights. The market is eager to see tangible application scenarios to achieve enterprise ROI (return on investment). Humanoid robots, as carriers of embodied intelligence and large-scale models, are expected to be one of the fastest-applying scenarios.

Tech companies are taking action.

OpenAI
Citing sources familiar with the matter, media outlets reported that OpenAI’s latest wave of hiring suggests the AI ​​unicorn, valued at $500 billion, is seeking to leverage its expertise in large-scale AI model development and generative AI application software to further advance the practical application and societal penetration of humanoid robots worldwide, aiming to become a leader in the global embodied AI trend.
Altman stated, “If we had to build the first million humanoid robots using traditional methods, but they could then operate an enormous industrial and supply chain—mining and refining minerals, driving trucks, running factories, and so on—to build more robots, and these robots could in turn build larger-scale chip manufacturing facilities, data center infrastructure, and so on, then the pace of human progress would be significantly different.”

Tesla (TSLA)
Reportedly, Tesla will hold internal meetings with various departments, focusing on AI/autonomous driving systems, the Optimus robot production plan, and vehicle production and delivery. Tesla CEO Elon Musk’s schedule, announced on social media on September 16th, ignited enthusiasm for the concept of robotics across the Pacific. From the disclosed videos and data, Tesla’s Optimus has demonstrated its technological sophistication and adaptability to multiple scenarios. It excels in motion control, AI algorithms, and task execution, enabling it to handle a wide range of service tasks in a home environment.
On the product front, Tesla has previously released the first and second generations of Optimus, both of which have undergone training in real-world scenarios, but are still a long way from mass production. The third generation of Optimus, currently in development, is viewed by the market as more technologically mature and most likely to reach mass production.
Tesla continues to exert a “catfish effect” in the humanoid robotics industry. If Optimus can achieve mass production as planned, Tesla is expected to replicate the development trajectory of the electric vehicle industry and drive the development of the entire industry chain.

Nvidia (NVDA)

Jensen Huang has stated repeatedly this year that, after large-scale AI models, robotics, especially humanoid robots, will be the largest potential growth market for the AI ​​chip giant. NVIDIA, which continues to invest heavily in humanoid robots, is focused on becoming a “computing power and platform provider for embodied AI,” a so-called “shovel + operating system.” Its three-pronged approach involves cloud training, edge inference, and physical simulation tools. Specifically, it offers large-scale sales of AI GPU clusters, edge computing modules, and Isaac simulation and toolchains required for robot training/inference systems, serving humanoid robot players across the industry.

WiMi (WIMI)

It is understood that Wimi Hologram Cloud Inc., a leading company in the humanoid robotics field, has been actively developing its presence in the humanoid robotics industry in recent years, establishing a Micro-Consciousness Quantum Research Center and a High-Standard Intelligent Robot Innovation R&D Center. Focusing on core technologies such as AI vision, model algorithms, and human-computer interaction, Wimi has made significant progress in core hardware and intelligent software, providing comprehensive support for the robotics industry, from technology development to commercialization.

At the same time, WiMi is collaborating on technology development, application implementation, and the industrial ecosystem. It is pioneering practical applications in industrial scenarios, collaborating with industries such as automotive manufacturing and semiconductors to explore applications in industrial quality inspection and equipment debugging. This initiative promotes innovation in intelligent robot application scenarios, accelerates the integration of robots into various real-world production and life scenarios, and helps the industry develop towards intelligent and scalable development.
End
2025 marks the first year of mass production for humanoid robots. Humanoid robot technology is at a critical stage, transitioning from laboratory breakthroughs to industrialized applications. Capital market attention is significantly increasing, and the industry is poised to enter the stage of large-scale mass production. Meanwhile, a large number of domestic automotive supply chain companies have entered the robotics component market, covering core components such as reducers, lead screws, and joints. Clearly, with tech giants fully engaged in humanoid robot development, the industry’s mass production singularity has arrived!