Global tech companies are continuously developing humanoid robots as artificial intelligence (AI) technology continues its rapid advacement.

Humanoid robotics startup Figure AI released a video on YouTube on Thursday local time, introducing its AI model for robots, called Helix.

Helix is a vision language action (VLA) model that enables robots to recognize their surroundings, understand user commands, and take appropriate actions.

The video features two of Figure AI’s latest humanoid robots, Figure 02. When a person placed groceries on a shelf and commanded, “Work together and organize them,” the robots observed the items and began sorting them - deciding which should go into the refrigeration and which should stay on the shelf.

The robot, positioned in front of the refrigerator, opened the door and neatly stored eggs, cheese, and ketchup inside, while the other robot opened the shelf and placed cookies inside.

Although their movements were slower than a human’s, their wrist and arm rotations, as well as their ability to grasp objects with their fingers, appeared impressively natural. They also demonstrated the ability to naturally hand over objects that needed to be placed closer to the other robot.

In the video, one robot picked up an apple and passed it to the other, which then placed the apple in a bowl and set it on the shelf. The two robots even made eye contact, as if they were communicating.

“Helix is designed to control two robots simultaneously,” Figure AI said. “One robot can assist the other in performing a variety of household tasks.”

Founded in 2022, Figure AI initially focused on developing bipedal robots for the logistics and warehouse industries. But with recent technological advancement, the company has expanded its business into household robotics.

Its technological prowess has been recognized, attracting investments last year from Microsoft Corp., OpenAI Inc., Nvidia Corp., and Amazon.com Founder Jeff Bezos.

According to Bloomberg, Figure AI’s valuation recently surged to $39.5 billion, a more than 15-fold increase than 2024’s $2.6 billion.

Norwegian robotics startup 1X Technologies has also unveiled a home-use humanoid robot called NEO Gamma, which is capable of performing household chores.

NEO Gamma walks on two legs and can complete various tasks. According to a video released by 1X Technologies, the robot can turn on a coffee maker and deliver coffee, adjust a crooked picture frame on the wall, clean windows and shelves, and operate a vacuum cleaner - all on its own.

With AI tech giants increasingly entering the humanoid robotics field, the competition is intensifying.

According to Bloomberg, Meta Platforms Inc. recently revealed in an internal memo that it aims to maximize the capabilities of the Llama platform and will focus on research and development related to consumer humanoid robots.

It is reportedly forming a new department for this purpose.

Meta initially plans to develop its own humanoid robot hardware for household tasks and in the future create related AI, sensors, and software.

It has already begun discussions on collaboration with Chinese robotics company Unitree Robotics and Figure AI.

Meanwhile, Google has invested in robotics company Apptronik, which is considered a competitor to Tesla’s humanoid robot, Optimus.

OpenAI also included the robotics sector in its trademark registration filing in January 2025, stating that it aims to develop humanoid robots equipped with communication and learning functions to assist and entertain people.

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