The development of capable humanoid robots represents the largest commercial opportunity in the world, with a total addressable market of $30-40 trillion.
The ultimate goal for Figure is to be the first company to demonstrate capable artificial general intelligence (CAGI) in the physical world.
A vertically integrated approach, where Figure designs all its own components including motors, sensors, and AI models, is the optimal strategy for building humanoid robots.
Figure's technology is significantly ahead of its competitors, enabling milestones like 48-hour autonomous operation and justifying ambitious scaling plans.
Advanced technology from government labs like NASA JPL can be acquired and commercialized to solve major societal problems, such as school safety.
A couple of years ago
OpenAI and Microsoft co-led Figure's Series B funding round, establishing a key strategic partnership.
Two years ago
Adcock acquired intellectual property from NASA Jet Propulsion Lab to form the basis of his weapon-detection company, Cover.
Last year
Figure achieved a significant commercial milestone by deploying a batch of its robots for a six-month trial at a BMW facility.
About eight months ago
Adcock launched a new venture, an AI lab named Hark, to focus on personalized intelligence models and hardware interfaces.
A couple of months ago
Figure launched its second-generation internal AI model, Helix 2, which powers its robots' autonomous operations.
Next 90 days
Adcock anticipates announcing multiple new customer deployments for Figure's humanoid robots.
▶Aggressive Ambition and Market CreationApr 2026
Adcock frames his work not just as building a company, but as creating the 'biggest business in the world' by addressing a $30-40 trillion market for human labor. This is supported by extremely ambitious long-term production goals, such as producing one million humanoid robots annually.
Investors should view Adcock's ventures as high-risk, high-reward plays on creating a new market category, where the primary thesis is the complete disruption of global labor economics rather than incremental technological improvement.
▶Technological Leadership through Vertical IntegrationApr 2026
Figure's strategy, as described by Adcock, is to vertically integrate the design and production of all core robot components, from motors to its own AI models like Helix 2. This approach is intended to accelerate development and give Figure a competitive edge, which Adcock believes places it 'a few years ahead' of all competitors.
This capital-intensive strategy of vertical integration contrasts with partnership-heavy models, suggesting Figure aims to control the entire technology stack, potentially creating a strong defensible moat if successful, but also concentrating execution risk.
▶Strategic Capital and Elite PartnershipsApr 2026
Adcock has successfully positioned Figure to attract over $1 billion in capital and form partnerships with top-tier technology leaders. The company's Series B was co-led by OpenAI and Microsoft, with Jeff Bezos also being a major investor, and it has already initiated commercial trials with industrial giants like BMW.
The caliber of investors and early customers provides significant validation for Figure's technology and commercial strategy, de-risking the venture to some extent and providing access to critical AI and cloud infrastructure.
▶Diversified Application of Advanced TechnologyApr 2026
Adcock's interests extend beyond humanoid robotics. He founded Cover, which uses terahertz imaging radar IP from NASA's Jet Propulsion Lab for weapon detection in schools, and Hark, an AI lab focused on personalized intelligence models and new hardware interfaces.
Adcock's parallel ventures demonstrate a pattern of identifying advanced, potentially non-commercial technology (like from NASA) and building businesses around it, indicating a broader thesis on technology transfer and commercialization.