Figure has launched a major recruitment campaign to expand its engineering team, coinciding with recent developments at General Motors’ autonomous vehicle subsidiary, Cruise. GM announced it is halting funding for Cruise’s robotaxi operations, raising questions about the future of the autonomous vehicle (AV) industry and prompting a response from other tech-driven companies like Figure.
Figure’s founder, Brett Adcock, highlighted the similarities between managing fleets of humanoid robots and AV fleets, describing the former as the “closest thing” to autonomous vehicles. The company is actively seeking professionals with expertise in machine learning (ML), control systems, and artificial intelligence infrastructure, aiming to hire over 100 engineers as it scales up its operations.
The recruitment push comes as Cruise faces challenges following a series of setbacks. GM’s decision to pause funding for Cruise was attributed to safety concerns, regulatory pressures, and questions surrounding the viability of fully autonomous robotaxi services in complex urban environments. These challenges have left many of Cruise’s employees uncertain about their future, creating an opportunity for Figure and other companies to attract skilled talent from the AV industry.
Figure is developing humanoid robots designed for tasks ranging from logistics to industrial applications. By leveraging technology similar to that used in autonomous vehicles, the company aims to create scalable and adaptable solutions for workforce challenges in a variety of sectors.
