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Logistics giant UPS is reportedly in discussions with humanoid robotics startup Figure AI about potentially deploying its robots for tasks within UPS's network. While details are scarce and unconfirmed, the talks reflect growing interest in using human-like robots for flexible automation in logistics.

Figure AI CEO Brett Adcock announced via LinkedIn that the company is pursuing legal action, including potential defamation claims, against Fortune magazine. Adcock alleges a recent article contained 'egregious inaccuracies' regarding Figure's business and its partnership with BMW Manufacturing.

Allen Zhu, a high-profile Chinese venture capitalist with GSR Ventures, has expressed skepticism about the near-term commercial viability of humanoid robots. He reportedly questions their cost-effectiveness compared to specialized automation and highlights the lack of a 'killer app,' suggesting mass adoption may be over a decade away.

Figure AI showcased its humanoid robots performing material handling tasks within BMW's live production facility in Spartanburg, South Carolina. This marks a move from controlled tests to real-world automotive manufacturing operations for the Figure 01 robot.

The landscape of humanoid robotics is undergoing rapid change, propelled by advancements in reinforcement learning (RL). A groundbreaking end-to-end neural network developed by Figure is setting new standards in humanoid locomotion, utilizing RL to achieve human-like walking in their Figure 02 robot. This innovation promises significant strides, yet it also raises important questions about the scalability and robustness of these technologies.