Humanoid Robots:The Last Industrial Revolution

There was a time when humanoid robots were science fiction — the stuff of Asimov novels and Hollywood fantasy. But that time has passed. The future has arrived, and it walks, talks, and even smiles like us.

The latest demonstration of this comes from a company called Figure, which recently released its new model — Figure 03 — in a video titled “Introducing Figure 03.” (see below)

It’s an extraordinary display. The robot moves with human-like fluidity, handles objects delicately, and responds to natural speech with near-human comprehension. Its AI “brain” integrates visual perception, reasoning, and motor control in real time. In short — this thing doesn’t just look human; it behaves human.

And this is not an isolated breakthrough. Elon Musk’s Optimus robot — developed by Tesla — is also moving fast. What once looked like a slow, clunky prototype in a shiny metal suit now appears surprisingly agile and capable. Optimus can fold clothes, handle delicate parts, and mimic tasks demonstrated by humans with near-perfect accuracy. Combine this with Musk’s access to Tesla’s massive AI computing infrastructure, and you have a formidable contender in the robotic race.

Other companies — such as Boston Dynamics, Agility Robotics, and Sanctuary AI — are also in hot pursuit. Each is taking a slightly different approach, but all share a common goal: building a general-purpose humanoid robot capable of working alongside or in place of humans.

Let’s be clear — this isn’t just another tech fad. The implications are enormous.

Imagine a workforce that doesn’t tire, doesn’t strike, doesn’t ask for holidays or higher pay. Robots that can work 24/7 in factories, warehouses, hospitals, construction sites — even in homes. Once these machines reach mass production, the economic incentives will be irresistible. The cost of labour could drop to near zero for countless industries.

And this, of course, brings us back to the same question raised by the AI revolution: what happens to all the people who used to do these jobs?

For years, automation quietly replaced factory workers and checkout clerks. But humanoid robots take this to an entirely new level. These machines won’t just operate in controlled environments; they’ll be able to navigate the same spaces we do, using the same tools we use. The difference is, they’ll do it faster, safer, and cheaper.

It’s easy to marvel at the engineering — and rightly so. Figure 03’s natural movement is almost eerie, its eye-tracking unsettlingly human. It even seems to exhibit understanding, engaging in conversation about the objects it manipulates. But it’s worth asking — what happens when such intelligence and dexterity meet scale and capital?

There’s a certain irony here. The same human ingenuity that once liberated us from physical labour may soon make most physical labour unnecessary. And just as with AI, society has yet to grapple seriously with what comes next.

Do we share the benefits through shorter workweeks or universal income? Or do we stumble into a world divided between those who own the robots — and those replaced by them?

For now, we can only watch in awe as these machines evolve with breathtaking speed. Yesterday’s clunky prototypes are now eerily capable assistants. Tomorrow’s models may be indistinguishable from us in skill — and perhaps, someday, even in thought.

The age of humanoid robots isn’t coming.
It has arrived.