Figure 03 robot climbs stairs on its own for the first time: AI now sees surroundings in 3D

The humanoid robot Figure 03 has climbed a flight of stairs autonomously for the first time. Figure CEO Brett Adcock posted a video of the fully self-operated ascent: the machine moved slowly and deliberately, with no remote control and no pre-programmed sequence of steps.

Stair climbing is considered one of the hardest tasks for humanoid robots, as it demands constant balance control, precise coordination of limbs and situational awareness. The demonstration followed an update to the Helix System 0 AI model. The previous version relied solely on proprioception, or data about the robot's body position. Now the neural network also processes imagery from built-in stereo cameras, building a 3D map of the surroundings while tracking its own position in real time.

The model was trained through reinforcement learning in simulated environments with randomized terrain. After integration without additional calibration, the robot became more capable of navigating stairs and uneven ground. The company also said it has ramped up Figure 03 production to one unit per hour, with total shipments exceeding 350 machines. These robots are aimed at factories, warehouses, construction sites and maintenance facilities where stairs and rough surfaces are common.

Figure, however, did not disclose the conditions of the latest test or how the robot would behave in more complex scenarios. The successful demonstration does not guarantee that the machine can handle such tasks reliably and safely in unpredictable real-world settings, where a mistake can be costly.