Good morning, robotics enthusiasts. Figure CEO Brett Adcock just dropped a video showing the Figure 02 humanoid expertly sorting packages for a full hour without losing its cool.

While the hourlong clip isn’t a thrill a minute, it’s an impressive showcase in what Figure’s robots can do. But can the startup translate a near-human-level demo into real-world impact?

In today’s robotics rundown:

• Figure O2 reaches near-human logistics work

• MIT algorithm enables robots to ‘think ahead’

• NASA robot to search for life on Saturn moon

• Housekeeper bot aims to disrupt hotel industry

• Quick hits on other robotics news

LATEST DEVELOPMENTS

FIGURE

🔥 Figure O2 reaches near-human logistics work

Image source: Figure

The Rundown: Figure CEO Brett Adcock shared a video of the Helix-powered Figure 02 humanoid autonomously sorting, transferring, and flattening packages for an hour— without overheating and with near-human precision and adaptability.

The details:

• Figure 02 demonstrates human-like dexterity, manipulating a wide variety of packages with precision and orienting barcodes for efficient scanning.

• Figure says it achieves an average package handling time of just 4.05 seconds, outperforming previous robotics solutions and rivaling human speeds.

• The robot is powered by the Helix model, a cutting-edge neural network that integrates sensory input, planning, and execution into a single, unified system.

• With embedded GPUs and a streamlined neural architecture, Figure 02 operates efficiently at low power, ideal for large-scale industrial deployment.

Why it matters: Unlike many robots limited to rigid boxes, Figure 02 can even manipulate soft poly bags and flat envelopes. It’s a significant step toward fully autonomous package sorting and handling, cutting down on the need for human labor for repetitive tasks and raising the bar on AI-driven humanoids in logistics.

MIT

🧠 MIT algorithm enables robots to ‘think ahead’

Image source: iStock/MIT

The Rundown: MIT and Nvidia researchers have unveiled a game-changing algorithm that they say enables robots to “think ahead” by evaluating thousands of possible solutions in parallel, rapidly narrowing down options to those most likely to succeed.

The details:

• The algorithm, cuTAMP, uses GPU acceleration to evaluate thousands of possible robotic actions at once, vastly speeding up the planning process.

• cuTAMP delivers solutions in seconds, rather than minutes, across simulations and real robots, making it viable for industrial, manufacturing, and logistics use.

• It works with various types of robots—humanoids, arms, etc.—and can be applied to a wide range of tasks.

• Unlike many AI systems, cuTAMP does not rely on pre-existing training data, making it highly adaptable and ready for use in new or changing environments.

Why it matters: This innovation addresses a key bottleneck in robotics—planning complex actions quickly and reliably—and has broad implications for automation in industry, logistics, and beyond. The researchers plan to integrate large language and vision models, further expanding its versatility.

NASA

🚀 NASA robot to search for life on Saturn moon

Image source: NASA/JPL-Caltech/Space Science Institute

The Rundown: NASA’s ice-drilling robot prototype, tested in some of Earth’s harshest environments such as Greenland and Alaska, may be making its way to explore the ice-covered oceans on Saturn’s moon Enceladus.

The details:

• The robot, which includes instruments like WATSON, can descend deep into ice sheets—up to 110 meters—to search for biosignatures and signs of life.

• The robot’s capabilities include advanced drilling and sampling with a special drill arm, real-time data collection, and autonomous operation.

• NASA envisions deploying landers and cryobots—cylindrical probes that melt through ice using heat—to access and analyze the hidden oceans of Enceladus.

Why it matters: NASA’s originally planned lander to Jupiter’s Europa was ditched, but now scientists are turning to Enceladus, which is considered one of the most promising places to search for extraterrestrial life. No date is set, but recent mission planning suggests a target launch in 2038, with the spacecraft arriving years later.

ZERITH ROBOTICS

🧹 Housekeeper bot aims to disrupt hotel industry

Image source: Zerith

The Rundown: Chinese robotics firm Zerith Robotics has introduced the H1, a humanoid on wheels specifically designed to clean hotel bathrooms, tidy up rooms, and restock supplies, with more hands-on capabilities in the pipeline.

The details:

• Zerith says the H1 is purpose-built for the labor-intensive hotel cleaning jobs with a design that can navigate narrow corridors, guest rooms, and bathrooms.

• The company posted a clip showing the robot autonomously cleaning bathrooms and floors, as well as vacuuming carpets and disposing of waste.

• Equipped with advanced AI and sensor technology, the H1 can detect obstacles, plan efficient routes, and adapt to different room layouts.

• The company aims to supply more than 500 robots within the year, with intended applications spanning service, education, and exhibition industries.

Why it matters: As the hotel industry scrambles to fill staff and cut costs, automation is stepping in to keep guest rooms spotless and service smooth. The rise of robots like the Zerith H1 and rival Pudu SH1 signals a new era where efficiency and smart tech are reshaping hospitality from the ground up, in a surging market already estimated at $5B.

QUICK HITS

📰 Everything else in robotics today

Milan Kovac, the head of Tesla’s Optimus, announced on X his departure from the company, adding that the decision was family-related.

French automaker Renault has entered a partnership with Wandercraft, a Paris-based robotics firm—with the first result being Calvin, an industrial humanoid.

China’s LimX Dynamics has released footage of its bipedal robot, Tron 1, maintaining flawless balance inside a moving truck without any external supports or harnesses.

Chinese robotics firm Lianhe Sowell has nabbed a $27.6M contract to deliver 500 advanced spray-painting robots featuring 3D vision recognition.

Spanish startup Voltrac raised $2.29M for its autonomous electric tractor designed for dual use in agriculture and military applications.

Deliveroo has introduced an autonomous drone food delivery service in Dublin through a partnership with Irish drone delivery company Manna.

University of Southern Denmark researchers have developed a bioinspired soft robot that mimics the movement of snakes and worms for search-and-rescue missions.

Hong Kong researchers have developed a new system that allows drones to autonomously navigate unknown, dense environments with agility, much like birds do.

A recent study published in Scientific Reports has found that chimpanzees can 'catch' yawns from an android designed to imitate human facial expressions.

Richtech Robotics has upgraded its robotic barista Adam with AI-powered vision and control, enabling it to monitor and optimize espresso preparation in real time.

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Rowan, Jennifer, and Joey—The Rundown’s editorial team